Container Off-Loading and Transfer System (COTS) Advanced Development Tests of Elevated Causeway System. Volume V. Container-Handling Operations.

Abstract : A two-phase advanced development test program was conducted to evaluate the elevated causeway system installation, operations, and demobilization. This volume covers the container-handling operations of the Phase II tests (no containers were handled during Phase I) and provides container transfer rates and operational data pertinent to container-handling cranes, containers, spreader bars, lighters, truck/trailers, pontoon deck reinforcement, turntable, beach transistion ramp, beach matting, and air bearing transporter. Also tested during Phase II, and reported in this volume, was the Lo/Ro concept which delivers containers deck-loaded on a causeway ferry; the ferry is beached and containers are off-loaded with commercial container handlers. Under the ideal sea conditions at the Coronado test site, crane-container handling rates of 20 containers per hour were attained, but the overall productivity was degraded to 15.4 containers per hour with a causeway ferry because of truck/trailer movement on the cause-way which could not keep up with the crane operation. A rate of 14 containers per hour was attained with the LCU. Time to unload containers during the Lo/Ro tests varied from an average of 1.6 minutes per container on the first section (nearest shore) to 2.4 minutes per container on the third section. (Author)