Supply chain integration,landside operations and port accessibility in metropolitan Chicago

Seaports have traditionally been the focus of maritime logistics supply chains. Changing production patterns demanding greater end to end visibility by customers and accessibility to key inland population centers assume greater importance in the organization and design of transport resources and cargo flows. While synchronization of all aspects of the supply chain has become an operational necessity for firms, it is often held hostage to the efficiency of hinterland networks who must respond to a large group of stakeholders with sporadic coordination. This is particularly true when looking at the central US city and region of Chicago, a critical intermodal exchange point for truck, air and river barge traffic domestic and global, as well as a major central distribution location. This paper analyzes supply chain integration (SCI) efforts in the metropolitan Chicago region and considers efforts by public and private actors to collaborate for region-wide SCI improvements. Pareto analysis suggests that concentrated freight corridors exist, influencing freight planning for regional transportation networks more directly than diffused regional freight movements. If the corridor service becomes less responsive or congested the corridor will move to different end nodes within the broad region. Regional planning must thus address national, regional, and local moves. Private/public sector infrastructure firms should address functional cooperation on SCI by focusing on corridors as well as local improvements.     

Integrated production and intermodal transportation planning in large scale production–distribution-networks

We present a model and solution approach for combining production and intermodal transportation planning in a supply network. A close and detailed integration of both decision fields is missing in the literature so far. The model includes relevant decisions regarding production setups and output volumes of plants, cargo consolidation at intermodal terminals, and capacity bookings for road and rail transports. A Branch-and-Cut method and heuristics are designed for solving the problem. A comprehensive case study for a chemical company identified a 6%-cost saving from the integrated planning. At the same time, companies are successfully supported in establishing eco-friendly distribution processes.     

Integration of small freight flows in the intermodal transport system

This paper explores the possibility of implementing innovative bundling models and new-generation terminals as a means to integrate small flows, mainly from outside the economic core areas, in the intermodal transport system. Any integration of these small flows would increase the transport volume that is potentially suitable for intermodal transportation, and could therefore add to the modal shift from road to rail. To illustrate this concept, it will be applied to the proposed terminal in Valburg in the Netherlands. The theoretical and practical results of this example will be discussed in the context of the more general research on innovative intermodal transport.     

Drivers for migration of an intermodal network hub from a port to an inland terminal

This paper explores influences on a migration of hub status in an intermodal network from a port to an inland node by following the life cycle of an inland terminal development. The methodology is a longitudinal case study of the Swedish intermodal system over a period of 20 years, based on documentation, interviews and action research. We observe the changing roles of the Port of Gothenburg and the Falköping terminal at different time periods. These changes are then discussed and influences identified for this migration and new centralisation inland. The longitudinal approach allows a life cycle perspective which reveals the importance of initial public infrastructure development and then the operational importance of integration between shipper and intermodal transport and terminal provision in controlling the network. The integration of the inland terminal in regional logistics strategies was also found to be important in attracting port flows to be transported via the inland hub to be containerised.     

The floating stock policy in fast moving consumer goods supply chains

The floating stock distribution concept exploits intermodal transport to deploy inventories in a supply chain in advance of retailer demand. In this way response times are reduced and storage costs can be reduced as well by having products in the pipeline. In this paper we present two mathematical models to analyse this policy with backlogging allowed. The first one tries to optimize the advanced shipping time of containers to intermodal terminal, and the second optimizes the total number of containers in pipeline and terminal. A comparison is made with the simulation outcomes of applying previously developed strategies, which shows that this concept has advantages in inventories over other strategies.     

Development of seaport–dry port dyads: two cases from Northern Europe

An increase in sea freight flows generates an almost proportional increase in inland freight flows, and what takes place inland will influence the ability of intermodal transport systems to further accommodate the growth of international trade. This could be facilitated by dry ports, which have been developed to support seaport operations as well as the overall operations of intermodal transport systems.The aim of this paper is to develop the Wilmsmeier et al. (2011) framework of directional development by taking into account development over time. The purpose is to contribute to the understanding of the development of seaport–dry port dyads by the analysis of two in-depth case studies from Northern Europe. A qualitative research strategy is applied to increase understanding of the development. The results contribute to earlier studies of spatial development of seaport–dry port development by taking into account development over time and by increasing the understanding of the actors, the types of dry ports and the services influencing the development of the dyads.     

Understanding hinterland service integration by shipping lines and terminal operators: a theoretical and empirical analysis

In the present competitive environment of ports, the key determinant in port competition is the ability of a port to be integrated into the local maritime and hinterland transportation chain. Creating effective integrated hinterland chains requires the coordination of several actors both in port and the hinterland. By making use of insights from Transaction Cost Economics and Resource-based View, the paper helps to understand why and how shipping lines and terminal operating companies enlarge their scope in intermodal transport and in inland terminals. The paper discusses a number of cases from the Hamburg–Le Havre range, where shipping lines and terminal operating companies have changed their scope of activities in ports and hinterland networks. After the theoretical and empirical analysis the papers draws conclusions on the explanatory power of the theories in understanding hinterland service integration by shipping lines and terminal operators.     

China in transition: institutional change at work in inland waterway transport on the Yangtze River

Chinese national fiscal reforms and the transfer of power from the central government to local governments impact the governance of inland waterway transport (IWT). In this paper we argue that the development of IWT on the Yangtze River is strongly influenced by institutional changes at different levels of government in line with the path dependent transformation of the Chinese centrally planned economy. This paper deduces how institutional change of IWT on the Yangtze fails to fulfil its purposes because of institutional legacies and conflicts of interests among the various levels of government and the persistent interwovenness of the state with private enterprises (via SOEs). In order to further stimulate IWT on the Yangtze more institutional changes are on the cards, in particular a need for more (foreign) private involvement and more independent SOEs, but these changes will not necessarily break out of the development path.     

Synchromodal hinterland freight transport: Model study for the port of Rotterdam

This paper develops a model that enables comparative analysis of intermodal and synchromodal operations from economic, societal, and environmental perspectives. The model captures relevant (day-to-day and within-day) dynamics in freight transport demand and supply, flexible multimodal routing with transfers and transhipments. The capacitated schedule-based assignment algorithm operating specifically at path level allows strategic modelling and evaluation accounting for the freight transport system at operational level. The Rotterdam hinterland container transport case study shows that synchromodal system is likely to improve transport service level, capacity utilization, and modal shift, but not to reduce delivery costs.     

Measures for evaluating supply chain performance in transport logistics

This study aims to investigate the construct of, and develop a measurement instrument for, supply chain performance (SCP) in transport logistics. Based on the supply chain operations reference model and various established measures, a measurement model and a measurement instrument for SCP in transport logistics are developed. A 26-item SCP measurement instrument was constructed, reflecting service effectiveness for shippers, operations efficiency for transport logistics service providers, and service effectiveness for consignees. The empirical findings suggest that the measurement instrument is reliable and valid for evaluating SCP in transport logistics.     

专用铁路集装箱江海联运驳接方式研究

专用铁路集装箱江海联运具有较好的经济效益,是铁路运输的重要发展方向。为提升集装箱江海联运的效率,化解既有集装箱江海联运驳接方式的缺点,在阐述既有集装箱江海联运驳接方式及存在问题的基础上,提出专用铁路集装箱江海联运驳接方式,从设施布局、作业流程和实现效果等方面进行分析。专用铁路集装箱江海联运驳接方式可以打破海船与江船的倒装限制,提升集装箱江海联运驳接效率,降低集装箱江海联运成本。     

Assessing policy measures for the stimulation of intermodal transport: a GIS-based policy analysis

Intermodal transport is the combination and integration of several transport modes (such as rail, inland waterways with road transport). In order to make the transhipment easy and efficient standard loading units are used, such as containers or swap-bodies. As for the main haul, more environmental friendly modes are used (rail and inland waterways) and a modal shift towards these modes can help in reducing the congestion. Therefore several policies are directed to stimulate the intermodal transport market.In this paper, a location analysis model for Belgian intermodal terminals (LAMBIT) is developed and used to assess different policy measures in Belgium. The simulations show that the different policy measures oriented towards the rail/road and inland waterways/road combinations should be incorporated in a coherent, integrated vision, in order to not create a modal shift between the different intermodal transport options. The methodology can easily be extended towards a European scale.     

Intermodal logistics: The interplay of financial,operational and service issues

This research addresses strategic planning for an interregional, hub based, intermodal logistics network operated by a logistics service provider. A tabu search meta-heuristic is used to solve a mathematical optimization model that extends the p-hub median model for interacting hub location-allocation problems to the domain of intermodal logistics. An empirical study based on a subset of US freight flows shows that intermodal logistics networks differ significantly from traditional over-the-road logistics networks in their hub locations, network structure, and their use of direct and inter-hub shipments. Furthermore, intermodal logistics networks are more sensitive to changes in service requirements and costs.     

A multi-objective sustainable load planning model for intermodal transportation networks with a real-life application

Growing importance of intermodal transportation necessitates modeling and solving load planning problems by taking into account various complex decisions simultaneously like transportation mode/service type selection, load allocation, and outsourcing. This paper presents a mixed-integer mathematical programming model for a multi-objective, multi-mode and multi-period sustainable load planning problem by considering import/export load flows to satisfy transport demands of customers and many other related issues. Several multiple objective optimization procedures are utilized in order to handle conflicting objectives simultaneously under crisp and fuzzy decision making environments. A real-life case study is also performed to present application and usefulness of the proposed model.     

An agent based model concept for assessing modal share in inter-regional freight transport markets

This paper introduces an Agent based modelling approach to model inter-urban freight transport between two or more trading regions. The use of the model is to ascertain the modal share of competing transport modes (road and intermodal) while taking complex transport service supply–demand dynamics into account. It is structured by modules describing company generation, supplier choice, modal competition and International road freight transport market dynamics. The behaviour of individual actors is simulated using normative agent behaviour and market knowledge. Using the micro-simulation approach, shippers and carriers (primarily road hauliers and a maritime based intermodal operator) interact through simulated contracts resulting in the generation of tours. The service performance of the tours is fed back into the model for decision making during contract deliberations. Preliminary application of model to Mediterranean case study show that market share gains of around 25–30% are obtained with policy interventions of financial subsidies to intermodal services and more frequent shipping services in the intermodal transport respectively.     

Analysis,modeling, and assessing performances of supply chains served by long-distance freight transport corridors

This article deals with an analysis, modeling, and assessing performances of supply chains served by long-distance intercontinental intermodal rail/road- and sea-shipping freight transport corridor(s). For such a purpose, the supply chains are defined and the methodology for assessing their performances under given conditions is developed. The methodology consists of the analytical models of indicators of the operational, economic, environmental and social performances of particular corridors and corresponding supply chains assumed to be dependent on the infrastructural and technical/technological capabilities. The models of particular indicators have been applied according to “what-if” scenario approach to assessing performances of the long-distance intercontinental inland and maritime freight transport corridors spreading between China and Europe in the scope of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and “A New Maritime Silk Road” policy initiative. The results prove that the intermodal inland rail/road alternative could act as a serious competitive alternative to its maritime deep-sea counterpart under given conditions. Nevertheless, in order to realize the opportunities, large investments in the inland rail/road infrastructure are required to appropriately connect China with Europe.     

多式联运数据交换区块链技术应用研究

针对多式联运数据交换中存在的数据中心化、作业协同效率不高等问题,对铁水联运、公铁联运过程中数据交换需求进行分析,阐述多式联运和区块链技术在数据共享、信任机制、安全机制和合约机制等方面的契合点,提出基于区块链的包括基础层、区块链核心层、应用服务层、应用接口和业务层的总体架构方案,设计基于联盟链的网络架构方式,模拟基于区块链技术的铁水联运运单流转过程,以实现共享数据的去中心化,提高多式联运作业的协同性和安全可靠性,促进多式联运"一单制"建设。     

R-Tresis: developing a transport model system for regional New South Wales

This paper sets out a demand modelling framework for the development of a regional transport and land use model system (R-Tresis), to be implemented for New South Wales (Australia). Traditionally, the focus of such a model system has been major metropolitan areas such as Sydney, where we have developed Tresis (Hensher, 2002). Given the growing concern about regional accessibility to many service classes, there is a need for a modelling capability that can be used to prioritize and guide policy decisions in regions that are often described as remote, rural, low density and small town. In developing a framework that is capable of integrating both demand and supply elements of transportation and land use activity, we recognized the challenges in developing primary data sources, and the high likelihood of a reliance on secondary data sources. This suggested an alternative approach to demand modelling that was not dependent on choice models; namely a suite of continuous choice models in which we capture the actual activities undertaken by each mode on both the demand and supply side at high spatial resolution.     

铁路多式联运一体化技术平台方案设计

以铁路运输为骨干的多式联运存在信息断链问题,影响多式联运效率提升,需要设计与开发铁路多式联运一体化技术平台。在阐述铁路多式联运一体化技术平台目标的基础上,分析多式联运一体化技术平台的功能需求和服务类型,设计多式联运一体化技术平台总体架构。基于"运输服务集市""物流增值服务集市"以及"信息集市"的平台定位,设计多式联运一体化技术平台的功能模块,包括多式联运信息发布、订单管理、多式联运产品设计、多式联运产品自动组合等功能,以实现高效率的铁路多式联运信息交互,提升铁路多式联运信息化水平。     

我国铁水联运港口作业区布局优化研究

铁水联运港口作业区是铁水联运作业的重要场所之一,铁水联运港口作业区布局直接影响着铁水联运的作业效率。为提高铁水联运港口作业效率,减少因方案调整产生的无效工作,在阐述铁水联运港口作业区组成的基础上,使用SLP法和铁水联运港口作业区布局优化模型进行两阶段耦合优化研究,以马鞍山郑蒲港区为例验证铁水联运港口作业区布局优化模型及其算法的可行性,充分发掘铁路联运港口作业区影响因素,提升铁水联运港口作业区域布局工作效率的优势,为铁水联运的总体布局方案提供科学合理的依据。