Optimizing energy efficiency in Ro-Ro terminal operations through internal traffic automation with internet of vehicles (IoV)

Nicoletta González-Cancelas; Javier Vaca-Cabrero; Alberto Camarero-Orive; Nicoletta González-Cancelas; Javier Vaca-Cabrero; Alberto Camarero-Orive

doi:10.3934/energy.2025051

AIMS Energy

2025, Volume 13, Issue 6: 1365-1390. doi: 10.3934/energy.2025051

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Research article

Optimizing energy efficiency in Ro-Ro terminal operations through internal traffic automation with internet of vehicles (IoV)

Department of Transport, Territorial and Urban Planning Engineering. ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, calle Profesor Aranguren, 3, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Received: 07 May 2025 Revised: 16 September 2025 Accepted: 16 October 2025 Published: 19 November 2025

Energy consumption in Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminals is significantly influenced by the internal movement of vehicles, storage layout, and the frequency of vessel departures. Terminals with European-bound lines generally operate with more regularity and store vehicles near the quay, while those serving non-European destinations must store vehicles in more remote areas, leading to longer displacement times, higher fuel consumption, and increased CO₂ emissions. In this study, we present a quantitative evaluation of energy optimization through the implementation of Internet of Vehicles (IoV) in Ro-Ro terminals. By comparing conventional manual operations with an automated IoV-enabled scenario, we analyzed the impact on fuel consumption, energy cost, CO₂ emissions, and idle energy loss. Two sustainability indicators (Sustainable Risk Index (SRI) and Carbon Intensity Factor (CIF)) were introduced to assess and compare the environmental performance of different terminal configurations. The findings show that IoV adoption significantly reduces energy consumption and emissions, particularly in terminals with greater internal travel distances. This research offers practical tools for port managers and decision-makers and contributes to the broader discourse on smart energy solutions and digital transformation in port logistics.
- energy efficiency,
- Ro-Ro terminals,
- internet of vehicles,
- smart port logistics,
- sustainability indicators
Citation: Nicoletta González-Cancelas, Javier Vaca-Cabrero, Alberto Camarero-Orive. Optimizing energy efficiency in Ro-Ro terminal operations through internal traffic automation with internet of vehicles (IoV)[J]. AIMS Energy, 2025, 13(6): 1365-1390. doi: 10.3934/energy.2025051

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Abstract

Energy consumption in Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminals is significantly influenced by the internal movement of vehicles, storage layout, and the frequency of vessel departures. Terminals with European-bound lines generally operate with more regularity and store vehicles near the quay, while those serving non-European destinations must store vehicles in more remote areas, leading to longer displacement times, higher fuel consumption, and increased CO₂ emissions. In this study, we present a quantitative evaluation of energy optimization through the implementation of Internet of Vehicles (IoV) in Ro-Ro terminals. By comparing conventional manual operations with an automated IoV-enabled scenario, we analyzed the impact on fuel consumption, energy cost, CO₂ emissions, and idle energy loss. Two sustainability indicators (Sustainable Risk Index (SRI) and Carbon Intensity Factor (CIF)) were introduced to assess and compare the environmental performance of different terminal configurations. The findings show that IoV adoption significantly reduces energy consumption and emissions, particularly in terminals with greater internal travel distances. This research offers practical tools for port managers and decision-makers and contributes to the broader discourse on smart energy solutions and digital transformation in port logistics.

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