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Optimal loading of double-stack container trains

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  • Upadhyay, Amit
  • Gu, Weihua
  • Bolia, Nomesh

Abstract

We develop a new mathematical model for optimizing the loading of double-stack container trains. We analyze the practical importance of multiple objectives reported in the literature and formulate two new objectives: maximizing profit and minimizing tardiness. The model accounts for containers of different types, weights, and heights, and their feasible loading combinations on a wagon satisfying real operational constraints. The model is solved optimally by CPLEX after exploiting the problem specific properties. A decision support system based on this optimization model has been deployed by a major train operator in India. Numerical cases show that our model can reduce the container haulage cost by about 3%.

Suggested Citation

  • Upadhyay, Amit & Gu, Weihua & Bolia, Nomesh, 2017. "Optimal loading of double-stack container trains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 1-22.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:107:y:2017:i:c:p:1-22
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2017.08.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhongbin Zhao & Xifu Wang & Suxin Cheng & Wei Liu & Lijun Jiang, 2022. "A New Synchronous Handling Technology of Double Stack Container Trains in Sea-Rail Intermodal Terminals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1, September.
    2. Suman, Hemant K. & Bolia, Nomesh B., 2019. "Improvement in direct bus services through route planning," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 263-274.
    3. Abhishek Bhatnagar & Nomesh B. Bolia, 2023. "A sustainable decision‐making framework for school consolidation policy," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(5), pages 1037-1063, June.
    4. Amit Upadhyay, 2020. "Improving Intermodal Train Operations in Indian Railways," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 50(4), pages 213-224, July.
    5. Hilde Heggen & Kris Braekers & An Caris, 2018. "A multi-objective approach for intermodal train load planning," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 40(2), pages 341-366, March.
    6. Roy, Debjit & van Ommeren, Jan-Kees & de Koster, René & Gharehgozli, Amir, 2022. "Modeling landside container terminal queues: Exact analysis and approximations," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 73-102.

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