Vehicle yard control system (VYCS) for the Sri Lanka ports authority

Abstract

The aim of this project is to develop an on-line vehicle yard controlling system that provides customers with the facility to check there vehicle arrivals, vehicle parking vehicle delivery and vehicle status online through web and short message service(SMS). System will provide all the vehicle movement information, tracking and the updated status of the vehicle. The current manual system puts the customer into great inconvenience specially by the requirements of his physical presence in the SLPA premises to find out the vehicle information, status and the yard location etc. The search for a more convenient operational process is envisage in order to make the customer’s task easier an acceptable. The widely used mobile phone and its short message service is made use of in order to achieve our desired goal. Therefore It is one of the important operational areas, which is highly required to improve the quality of service level. The new system will immensely contribute towards the total productivity of the yard, if the system is streamlined and computerized in a proper manner. Computerization of this area will eliminate drawbacks of the current manual system. Further, it enhances customer satisfaction through improved service. Due to space limitations in the area allocated for imported vehicles, it is necessary to design a proper yard layout. Each area is marked in the means of drawing lines, numbering them to reach the best utilization of ground space. The system will also endow with a Web interface for the Clearing Agents who could inquire about their vehicles. Further the system generates SMS to confirm the parking location, transferring and the delivery of the vehicles. System also provide forecasted information regarding vessel arrivals, discharging, loading etc. When compared with the existing system, the new system offers huge advantages for the customers. The system is simple, secure, convenient, economical, faster and technologically up-to-date. Its ability to send SMSs to a customer any time a change occurs to his or her records in the system is one of its strikingly value adding features. This cutting edge not only benefits the customers but also helps the organization establish a close rapport with them. The new system will enable automation of the entire functions of the vehicle handling, thus conceiving an efficient, convenient, reliable, speedy and cost-effective operational model for the SLPA.