Automated Landscapes is a long-term, international research project by Het Nieuwe Insitituut that addresses the emergence of distinct types of spatial configurations and conditions engendered and afforded by automation. The Research team comprises Marina Otero Verzier, Victor Muñoz Sanz, Marten Kuijpers and Grace Abou Jaoude. Below a series of drawings of examples of automated landscapes, published as part of the book WORK, BODY, LEISURE, 2018.

Recent Evolution of Quay Cranes

The wide port entrance and deep fairways of Maasvlakte II were designed to allow the passage and docking of ultra large container ships (ULCS). Loading and unloading one of those huge high-TEU capacity vessels requires the latest generation of STS cranes. These are higher and have a longer outreach, and consequently travel distances from ship to shore increase, and faster movements are needed in order to increase productivity. As human operators would suffer from the higher acceleration rates, the cranes are automated, and therefore are not equipped with cabins for human operators.

Supplier: Rainbow Cargotec
Project partner: ABB

APM Terminals Office Building in Maasvlakte II

This building (4,700 m²) houses the control rooms that oversee all operations in the terminal. APM Terminals aimed to realize the most modern terminal in terms of efficiency, safety, innovation and sustainability. The office building received a BREEAM score of Very Good.

Contractor: Boele & van Eesteren
Architect: KYK Architects
Construction: Witteveen + Bos; Van Rossum
Interior Architecture: Nelleke de Vries Interieurarchitect
Technology supplier and advice on control rooms: ABB

Ergonomic Study: Crane Operator vs Remote Control Operator

Traditional port crane operators spend most of their working time seated, likely in awkward posture-- with a bent-forward back and neck with little or no relief without any supports. This causes discomforts in the lower back and the neck-shoulder regions, because of a constant and continuous load while the operator is working. On top of that, long exposure to whole body vibration whilst seating results in the operator developing either lower back pain, sciatic problems or degenerative changes in the spinal system or any combination of these conditions. In contrast, the operator’s actions in the room have a direct impact on up-time, production output, quality, and safety. Control room workplaces from ABB are designed to optimize operator efficiency by minimizing response time and supporting 24/7 operations. An operator environment designed with human factors in focus can convert potentially dangerous fatigue and distraction into proactive alertness that extracts the very best from every individual – in both routine operations and critical situations.

Control room furniture supplier: ABB
Interior Architecture: Nelleke de Vries Interieurarchitect

Lift Automated Guided Vehicle (L-AGV)

APM Terminals Maasvlakte II is equipped with 37 battery-powered Lift-AGVs, 87 battery packs and two, robotic battery exchange stations, allowing automated exchange of the battery pack. The battery Lift-AGV allows APM Terminals to achieve higher levels of performance while minimizing environmental impact. In diesel-electric Lift-AGVs, the diesel engine produces CO2/NOX/particulate emissions at the terminal. By removing the diesel engines, APM Terminals removes all local emissions. Furthermore, the diesel engine produces a significant amount of noise. The result is a fleet of green battery Lift-AGV with minimal impact on the local environment.

Supplier: Kronecranes -Terex

L-AGV Charging Station

Lift-AGVs use electricity on batteries, and therefore need to be periodically recharged. This occurs in a central recharging station. The building installations for this station are designed and built by Kropman. The automated guided vehicles will automatically recharge themselves when their battery level drops. The 12 Tonne battery packagescan be recharged with 72 units at one time in this recharge station. This makes it the largest of its kind in the world. Critical aspects of the design are the massive electric capabilities and explosion security.

Contractor: Boele & van Eesteren
Architect: KYK Architects
Construction: Witteveen + Bos; Van Rossum
Interior Architecture: Nelleke de Vries Interieurarchitect
Electric Batteries Provider: Kropman Company

L-AGV Loading and Unloading Area

The Automated Stacking Cranes, which operate using a terminal operating system and equipment control system, lift and stow the containers delivered from the Lift-AGVs that shuttle containers to and from the berth and rail terminal. At night or when the terminal is quiet, the system features a “housekeeping” capability that restows/restacks containers in the best spot for early morning truck appointments or for easy access for the next vessel loadplan. This feature of automated yard optimization of the stack during quiet times allows for better efficiency at peak times.

Supplier: Kuenz
Lifting capacity: 41 tons
Liftings height. 18.1 m
Units: 48 units
Project partner: ABB

Truck Loading and Unloading Area

On the other side of the container yard, the Automated Stacking Cranes load and unload containers to trucks that driving to and from the North European hinterland.

Security Checkpoint for Truck Drivers

The flow of trucks in and out of the terminal is by an online booking system, through which customs and identification documentation are checked. Drivers must register and have their fingerprints data taken. Four unmanned checkpoints and an OCR and radioactive material scan mark their way to the container loading and unloading area.

Ergonomic Study: Automatic Truck Handling Area

At the unmanned checkpoints, truck drivers must show an ID card, type several codes, and use biometrical data to proceed. At the loading and unloading station, a green square painted on the ground indicates the area they can stand on while the crane does its work.

Supplier: CAMCO Technologies

Fencing

A collection of concrete barricades, chain-link fencing, and CCTV cameras encircle the terminal to prevent unauthorized access.

FutureLand: Maasvlakte II Visitors’ Centre

FutureLand, the information center of Maasvlakte II hosts an interactive exhibition on the engineering works and terminal operations. It is also the starting point of FutureLand bus and ferry, which offer tours to visitors, both tourists and professional alike. Since the opening, Futureland has received more than 110,000 visitors every year.

Building and exhibition design: Sandenburg Concept + Creation