IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/orspec/v40y2018i2d10.1007_s00291-017-0503-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A multi-objective approach for intermodal train load planning

Author

Listed:
  • Hilde Heggen

    (Research Group Logistics
    Department of Quantitative Economics)

  • Kris Braekers

    (Research Group Logistics)

  • An Caris

    (Research Group Logistics)

Abstract

In intermodal freight transportation, train load planners are confronted with complex practical considerations during the booking and planning process. In order to optimally utilize the available loading space, train capacity is monitored in terms of available length and weight while accounting for the urgency with which load units must be sent. Furthermore, the execution of the load plan by the terminal operator must be performed efficiently to minimize total handling costs. In this paper, a static model with multiple objectives is developed to introduce a number of practical constraints from the viewpoint of the network operator. Numerical experiments are performed using an exact $$\varepsilon $$ ε -constraint method as well as a multi-directional local search heuristic. It is shown that the multi-objective approach provides train load planners with a set of train load plans, for which the trade-offs between the different objectives can be analyzed. Given this information, the most suitable plan can be determined based on the real-time operational environment.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:orspec:v:40:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s00291-017-0503-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s00291-017-0503-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00291-017-0503-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s00291-017-0503-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Attila A. Kovacs & Bruce L. Golden & Richard F. Hartl & Sophie N. Parragh, 2015. "The Generalized Consistent Vehicle Routing Problem," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(4), pages 796-816, November.
    2. Zhang, Weihua & Reimann, Marc, 2014. "A simple augmented ∊-constraint method for multi-objective mathematical integer programming problems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 234(1), pages 15-24.
    3. Daniela Ambrosino & Claudia Caballini & Silvia Siri, 2013. "A mathematical model to evaluate different train loading and stacking policies in a container terminal," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 15(3), pages 292-308, September.
    4. 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.
    5. Braekers, Kris & Hartl, Richard F. & Parragh, Sophie N. & Tricoire, Fabien, 2016. "A bi-objective home care scheduling problem: Analyzing the trade-off between costs and client inconvenience," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 248(2), pages 428-443.
    6. Thomas A. Feo & José Luis González-Velarde, 1995. "The Intermodal Trailer Assignment Problem," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(4), pages 330-341, November.
    7. Ambrosino, Daniela & Siri, Silvia, 2015. "Comparison of solution approaches for the train load planning problem in seaport terminals," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 65-82.
    8. Zopounidis, Constantin & Doumpos, Michael, 2002. "Multicriteria classification and sorting methods: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 138(2), pages 229-246, April.
    9. Macharis, C. & Bontekoning, Y. M., 2004. "Opportunities for OR in intermodal freight transport research: A review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(2), pages 400-416, March.
    10. Crainic, Teodor Gabriel, 2000. "Service network design in freight transportation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(2), pages 272-288, April.
    11. Nils Boysen & Malte Fliedner & Florian Jaehn & Erwin Pesch, 2013. "A Survey on Container Processing in Railway Yards," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(3), pages 312-329, August.
    12. SteadieSeifi, M. & Dellaert, N.P. & Nuijten, W. & Van Woensel, T. & Raoufi, R., 2014. "Multimodal freight transportation planning: A literature review," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 233(1), pages 1-15.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Basallo-Triana, Mario José & Bravo-Bastidas, Juan José & Vidal-Holguín, Carlos Julio, 2022. "A rail-road transshipment yard picture," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Majid Eskandarpour & Pierre Dejax & Olivier Péton, 2019. "Multi-Directional Local Search for Sustainable Supply Chain Network Design," Post-Print hal-02407741, HAL.
    3. Sakti, Sekar & Zhang, Lele & Thompson, Russell G., 2023. "Synchronization in synchromodality," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    4. Hilde Heggen & Yves Molenbruch & An Caris & Kris Braekers, 2019. "Intermodal Container Routing: Integrating Long-Haul Routing and Local Drayage Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-36, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    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. Mantovani, Serena & Morganti, Gianluca & Umang, Nitish & Crainic, Teodor Gabriel & Frejinger, Emma & Larsen, Eric, 2018. "The load planning problem for double-stack intermodal trains," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 267(1), pages 107-119.
    3. Joris Wagenaar & Ioannis Fragkos & Rob Zuidwijk, 2021. "Integrated Planning for Multimodal Networks with Disruptions and Customer Service Requirements," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 55(1), pages 196-221, 1-2.
    4. Andreas Rudi & Magnus Fröhling & Konrad Zimmer & Frank Schultmann, 2016. "Freight transportation planning considering carbon emissions and in-transit holding costs: a capacitated multi-commodity network flow model," EURO Journal on Transportation and Logistics, Springer;EURO - The Association of European Operational Research Societies, vol. 5(2), pages 123-160, June.
    5. Ambrosino, Daniela & Siri, Silvia, 2015. "Comparison of solution approaches for the train load planning problem in seaport terminals," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 65-82.
    6. Thibault Delbart & Yves Molenbruch & Kris Braekers & An Caris, 2021. "Uncertainty in Intermodal and Synchromodal Transport: Review and Future Research Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-25, April.
    7. Bilegan, Ioana C. & Crainic, Teodor Gabriel & Wang, Yunfei, 2022. "Scheduled service network design with revenue management considerations and an intermodal barge transportation illustration," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(1), pages 164-177.
    8. 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.
    9. Martin Hrušovský & Emrah Demir & Werner Jammernegg & Tom Woensel, 2018. "Hybrid simulation and optimization approach for green intermodal transportation problem with travel time uncertainty," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 486-516, September.
    10. Li, Le & Negenborn, Rudy R. & De Schutter, Bart, 2017. "Distributed model predictive control for cooperative synchromodal freight transport," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 240-260.
    11. Qian Dai & Jiaqi Yang & Dong Li, 2018. "Modeling a Three-Mode Hybrid Port-Hinterland Freight Intermodal Distribution Network with Environmental Consideration: The Case of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-26, August.
    12. Zhang, M. & Pel, A.J., 2016. "Synchromodal hinterland freight transport: Model study for the port of Rotterdam," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1-10.
    13. Panagiotis Ypsilantis & Rob Zuidwijk, 2019. "Collaborative Fleet Deployment and Routing for Sustainable Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-26, October.
    14. Meng, Qiang & Hei, Xiuling & Wang, Shuaian & Mao, Haijun, 2015. "Carrying capacity procurement of rail and shipping services for automobile delivery with uncertain demand," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 38-54.
    15. Wang, Zhenjie & Zhang, Dezhi & Tavasszy, Lóránt & Fazi, Stefano, 2023. "Integrated multimodal freight service network design and pricing with a competing service integrator and heterogeneous shipper classes," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    16. Yan, Baicheng & Jin, Jian Gang & Zhu, Xiaoning & Lee, Der-Horng & Wang, Li & Wang, Hua, 2020. "Integrated planning of train schedule template and container transshipment operation in seaport railway terminals," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    17. Chia-Nan Wang & Thanh-Tuan Dang & Tran Quynh Le & Panitan Kewcharoenwong, 2020. "Transportation Optimization Models for Intermodal Networks with Fuzzy Node Capacity, Detour Factor, and Vehicle Utilization Constraints," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-27, November.
    18. Nils Boysen & Malte Fliedner & Florian Jaehn & Erwin Pesch, 2013. "A Survey on Container Processing in Railway Yards," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(3), pages 312-329, August.
    19. Yi Zhao & Ronghui Liu & Xi Zhang & Anthony Whiteing, 2018. "A chance-constrained stochastic approach to intermodal container routing problems," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-22, February.
    20. Assadipour, Ghazal & Ke, Ginger Y. & Verma, Manish, 2015. "Planning and managing intermodal transportation of hazardous materials with capacity selection and congestion," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 45-57.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:orspec:v:40:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s00291-017-0503-1. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.