Kings day 2015 Grand Parade
Grande Parade Kings day 2015
The Dutch Kings day was hosted this year by the city of Dordrecht. The main event of the day was the Grand Parade of old and new ships on one of the busiest river crossroads of Europe: the Beneden-Merwede, Noord and the Old Maas. As Dordrecht and the maritime sector are closely bound, the city could not forgo this opportunity to present the maritime industry of the past and the future in the area. The parade consisted of various different sizes and types of ships; from small sailing boats to huge containerships and spectacular dredging ships. More than 50 vessels presented themselves to the Dutch audience.
No rehearsal possible
The Grand Parade event needed a strict and accurate plan to allow a save and smooth sailing of all vessels. As so many different vessels took part in the parade it was necessary to create insight in the best possible order for the ships to pass the main viewing point. That is why the city needed a solution to create the much needed understanding in the actual Parade plan without the possibility to have a rehearsal. The solution was found in a predictive simulation created by the company Talumis.
As a leading logistics simulation expert, Talumis has extensive experience in analyzing and optimizing complex logistics systems using simulation. The Grand Parade also had some interesting logistic challenges: every ship has a different size and speed so what is the best order to let them sail? And where do you position the ships at the start and where can they stay at the end? What type of maneuvers are possible to perform?
Detailed simulation model
To answer these questions Talumis created together with the city of Dordrecht and the marine experts from the Dutch Waterways department a detailed FlexSim simulation model. The model allowed to analyze different plans and options. The end result was a plan that minimized risks and maximized the attractiveness of the parade for the audience.
As the model presented the plan in 3D and in time, it was possible to create and evaluate different viewpoints of the virtual Parade. Allowing for the best possible communication for all parties involved.
More than expected
According to the Kings day Grand Parade committee the simulation analyses and model contributed beyond expectations to the project. Potential bottlenecks were identified and alternatives could be evaluated quickly and in detail. The visualization of the plan also allowed to communicate to the captains of all the vessels. This made the task of the ‘conductor’ of the parade easier. With the thorough preparation using simulation the Grand Parade went smooth and was very successful indeed.
Made possible with Flexsim simulation software
Talumis built the simulation model that was used during the Grande Parade with Flexsim simulation software. Talumis now offers you the possibility to try the software for free with a maximum of 30 objects.
