📋 Case Study

Peruvian Copper Mine Intermodal Handoff Redesign

Truck congestion at rail loading facility causing 27% underutilization of rail capacity

🏗️ Project Overview

High-altitude copper mine using truck-to-rail transfer at 4,200m elevation

🎯 Challenge

Truck congestion at rail loading facility causing 27% underutilization of rail capacity

🔧 Design Approach

Predictive queue management with IoT weighbridges + dynamic slot reservation system

📐 Design Diagram

AI-generated project design illustration

📐 Key Calculations

Queue Wait Time Reduction

W_q = λ/(μ−λ)

Result: From 142 min to 23 min avg.

Enabled 3x more trucks/hour processed

Rail Utilization Uplift

Actual_Tons / Max_Capacity

Result: From 73% to 94%

Deferred $28M rail expansion CAPEX

📊 Results

Rail tonnage increased by 39% without new locomotives; truck idling fuel use down 52%; maintenance costs reduced 18%

💡 Lessons Learned

• •High-altitude sensor calibration is non-negotiable for accuracy
• •Slot reservations must accommodate ±15% production variance

✅ Key Takeaways

• 1High-altitude sensor calibration is non-negotiable for accuracy
• 2Slot reservations must accommodate ±15% production variance