Principles of micro-behavior commodity transport modeling

This paper presents an agent-based approach to commodity transport modeling. It assesses the effects of behavior-oriented transport policy measures while taking complex logistics reaction patterns into account. It is structured by modules describing company generation, supplier choice, shipment-size choice, carrier choice and tour construction. The behavior of individual actors is simulated using normative logistics models and accumulated market knowledge. Using a bottom-up approach, shippers and carriers interact through simulated auctions of transport contracts resulting in the generation of tours. Simulations using the model prototype INTERLOG calibrated with German data demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of this approach.