A bi-objective model for planning and managing rail-truck intermodal transportation of hazardous materials

We propose a bi-objective optimization framework for routing rail-truck intermodal shipments with hazardous materials, when shippers and receivers have access to alternate intermodal terminals. A tabu-search based solution methodology is developed, which together with the optimization framework is applied to realistic size problem instances to gain managerial insights. Our analysis indicates that drayage accounts for a significant portion of transport risk and that it can be reduced by scheduling direct and faster trains; and, that the mix of intermodal trains depends on the interest of the decision-makers, where the resulting traffic can facilitate planning emergency response systems.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

Analyzing the impact of intermodal-related risk to the design and management of biofuel supply chain

This study presents a mathematical model that designs a reliable multi-modal transportation network for a biofuel supply chain system, where intermodal hubs are subject to site-dependent probabilistic disruptions. The disruption probabilities of intermodal hubs are estimated by using a probabilistic model which is developed using real world data. We developed an accelerated Benders decomposition algorithm to solve this challenging NP-hard problem. Numerical analysis show that the model selects to use intermodal hubs located in areas with low disruption probabilities. In case of a disaster, the reliable solution results in 6.21% savings over the minimum cost solution.     

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。     

Intermodal integration in air transportation: status quo, motives and future developments

Soaring air traffic, increasing urban expansion and airports operating at full capacity are reasons that have caused a discussion about improvements in airport landside access systems. One approach to better match customer demands and address airport congestion is to facilitate the intermodal integration of airports. Building on a survey on intermodal passenger air transportation, we elaborate on the current and future situation at major airports. Our findings indicate a high modal concentration and dependence on individual access modes. However, while airport managers intend to reduce the share of these modes, they plan to increase that of high-occupancy airport access modes. We analyze the underlying motives that cause airports to extend their connections to surface infrastructure. In a case study, we assess an intermodal best practice solution for the integration of air and rail.     

An analysis of intermodal ramp selection methods

A key issue affecting the viability and efficacy of intermodal transportation via truck and rail is the operational selection of intermodal ramps. In this paper, two alternatives for ramp selection are examined. Both methods seek to reduce total empty and circuitous miles incurred during intermodal drayage movements. The sensitivity to the ramp group configuration and to freight compatibility is tested to determine the robustness of the findings. The analysis is industrially motivated, using data supplied by J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. The primary contribution of the paper is in quantifying the performance of the ramp selection methods in various operational settings.     

Carrying capacity procurement of rail and shipping services for automobile delivery with uncertain demand

The determination of the optimal carrying capacity procurement of rail and shipping services in the automobile intermodal network with unique characteristics is essential to save automobile delivery cost. In this research we develop a two-stage stochastic programming model for the tactical-level decision problem arising in the special automobile intermodal network. Furthermore, we improve the sample average approximation algorithmic procedure to solve the model. We apply the model and solution method to a case study associated with the Shanghai Automobile Industry Corporation. We believe that this study deals with an emerging new research topic with practical significance for the automobile industry.     

The non-bulk market for rail freight in Great Britain

An increased role for rail freight is an objective of the British government. Limited growth potential exists in rail’s traditional bulk markets, so more non-bulk volume is needed. This paper focuses on non-bulk rail freight activity in Britain, through desk-based research and company interviews. It considers changes in both the intermodal and traditional less-than-trainload (LTL) markets over the last decade. Issues relating to the use of these two types of services are presented, covering the principal opportunities and major constraints. Growth potential for both intermodal and traditional LTL flows is identified, but success is dependent upon important pre-requisites being satisfied.     

Congestion,port expansion and spatial competition for US container imports

The purpose of this paper is to analyze spatial competition, congestion and flows of container imports into the United States. An intermodal network flow model is developed and used to analyze congestion in the logistics system for container imports. The results indicate that congestion exists at most ports and its consequences are to raise costs at these nodes, and in some cases to divert traffic to other routes. Finally, if each of the ports expanded, the value of marginal capacity would converge to nil, and expansion would reduce congestion costs and waiting times.     

Congestion,port expansion and spatial competition for US container imports

The purpose of this paper is to analyze spatial competition, congestion and flows of container imports into the United States. An intermodal network flow model is developed and used to analyze congestion in the logistics system for container imports. The results indicate that congestion exists at most ports and its consequences are to raise costs at these nodes, and in some cases to divert traffic to other routes. Finally, if each of the ports expanded, the value of marginal capacity would converge to nil, and expansion would reduce congestion costs and waiting times.     

基于遗传算法的集装箱多式联运联盟合作伙伴的选择

集装箱多式联运是一个复杂的大系统,其多式联盟的组成首先要选择正确的合作伙伴。建立基于遗传算法的集装箱多式联运联盟合作伙伴选择的模型,从联盟的运营成本、运营时间和运营风险的最小化进行择优,同时给出应用算例进行验证,并利用MATLAB7.0求解,得到能以最佳性能完成运输任务的联盟伙伴组合。     

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。     

Integration of inland waterway transport in the intermodal supply chain: a taxonomy of research challenges

This paper identifies research opportunities which will enable the further integration of inland waterway transport in the intermodal supply chain. Intermodal transport may be interpreted as a chain of actors who supply a transport service. Inland navigation can play a crucial role in increasing supply chain service performance. A first group of research challenges lies in the evolving relationship between transport geography and logistics activities. The next set of research challenges has the objective to encourage efficient operations in IWT: development of a system wide model for IWT, integration of operational planning systems and analysis of bundling networks. A third group of research efforts is directed towards shippers and consignees who use the intermodal transport chain to send or receive their goods: further development of models that integrate intermodal transport decisions with supply chain decisions and creation of green supply chains. A fourth cluster of research challenges concerns the problem domain of external cost calculations. Finally detailed time series data on freight transport should be collected to support these future research tracks.     

白洋港铁水联运车船直取模式研究

白洋港作为长江三峡的核心内陆港,是工业输出港、翻坝转运港和西部出海港,主要服务于白洋工业园区,担当西北地区物流陆水联运的作用。为实现白洋港铁水联运的无缝衔接,在阐述白洋港铁水联运模式及作业流程的基础上,针对白洋港既有铁水联运模式存在的问题,提出白洋港铁水联运车船直取模式,从车船直取模式设施布局及作业流程进行分析,达到压缩无效作业时间、提高白洋港铁水联运效率、释放技术站作业能力等效果,实现白洋港铁水联运效率的提升。     

Analysis of intermodal freight from China to Indian Ocean: A goal programming approach

This paper presents an intermodal network optimization model to examine the competitiveness of 36 alternative routings for freight moving from China to and beyond Indian Ocean. The proposed model, which is built upon the principles of goal programming, is able to handle multiple and conflicting objective functions such as minimizing transportation cost, transit time and transit time variability while ensuring flow continuity and transit nodes compatibility among the rail, road, ocean vessel, airplane and inland waterway transports. Transportation time and cost obtained from comprehensive industry sources are then fed into the intermodal transport network connecting two important Chinese origins and four Indian destinations, from which the most attractive routes are identified. In addition, the paper investigates several non-dominated transportation cases through sensitivity analysis tests, and analyzes the potential competitiveness and possible influences of future route developments to current transportation patterns in Asia.     

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.     

高速铁路可变编组列车开行计划优化

目前,我国高速铁路列车一般采用固定编组形式,动车组运用效率较低,而未来可变编组列车投入使用后,运营组织方式将发生很大变化,需要优化列车开行计划以充分发挥可变编组列车的优势。研究可变编组列车在各技术区段的编组内容和组合拆解计划,以动车组开行成本最小和组合拆解作业时间最短为优化目标,构建可变编组列车开行计划优化模型,设计分支定界算法求解。以京沪高速铁路进行案例分析,结果表明:相比同等条件下固定编组模式,优化的可变编组列车开行计划可以提高列车客座利用率。     

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.