The importance of verification, validation, and credibility in discrete simulation models for resilient freight transportation and terminal logistics: a literature review

Geopolitical disruptions, systemic risks, and increasing uncertainty in supply chains have intensified the demand for robust, transparent, and credible decision support in freight transportation and terminal logistics. Discrete Event Simulation and Agent-based Simulation offer well-established methods for analysing such complex, dynamic, and stochastic systems, yet their effectiveness critically depends on how verification, validation, and credibility are addressed, documented, and communicated. This paper presents a systematic literature review of 140 simulation-based studies in the domain of freight transportation and terminal logistics published between 2012 and March 2026. The analysis provides quantitative and qualitative insights into reporting patterns across simulation paradigms, abstraction levels, and planning horizons consolidated into an integrative classification matrix. Using a structured categorisation scheme, the review synthesises prevailing modelling practices related to data collection, documentation, experimental design, verification, validation, and approaches for establishing credibility. The empirical findings are integrated into a five-stage Simulation Study Life Cycle covering framing, conceptualization, development, experimentation, and implementation to substantiate critical decision points with quantitative evidence. The framework supports transparent and reproducible model development, strengthening the role of simulation in Operations Research. By consolidating and comparing existing practices, this review provides guidance for enhancing the robustness, transparency, and credibility of future simulation-based decision support.