Model for Collaboration among Carriers to Reduce Empty Container Truck Trips

In recent years, intermodal transport has become an increasingly attractive alternative to freight shippers. However, the current intermodal freight transport is not as efficient as it could be. Oftentimes an empty container needs to be transported from the empty container depot to the shipper, and conversely, an empty container needs to be transported from the receiver to the empty container depot. These empty container movements decrease the freight carrier’s profit, as well as increase traffic congestion, decrease roadway safety, and add unnecessary emissions to the environment. To this end, our study evaluates a potential collaboration strategy to be used by carriers for domestic intermodal freight transport based on an optimization approach to reduce the number of empty container trips. A binary integer-linear programming model is developed to determine each freight carrier’s optimal schedule while minimizing its operating cost. The model ensures that the cost for each carrier with collaboration is less than or equal to its cost without collaboration. It also ensures that average savings from the collaboration are shared equally among all participating carriers. Additionally, two stochastic models are provided to account for uncertainty in truck travel times. The proposed collaboration strategy is tested using empirical data and is demonstrated to be effective in meeting all of the shipment constraints.

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The Merit of Agents in Freight Transport

Multi-Agent Systems for Traffic and Transportation Engineering - Advances in Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-226-8.ch016 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 323-341

Author(s):

Tamás Máhr ◽

F. Jordan Srour ◽

Mathijs de Weerdt ◽

Rob Zuidwijk

Keyword(s):

Freight Transport ◽

Transport Network ◽

Optimization Approach ◽

Comparative Performance ◽

Agent Based ◽

Solution Approach ◽

On Line ◽

Intermodal Freight ◽

Transport Method

While intermodal freight transport has the potential to introduce efficiency to the transport network,this transport method also suffers from uncertainty at the interface of modes. For example, trucks moving containers to and from a port terminal are often uncertain as to when exactly their container will be released from the ship, from the stack, or from customs. This leads to much difficulty and inefficiency in planning a profitable routing for multiple containers in one day. In this chapter, the authors examine agent-based solutions as a mechanism to handle job arrival uncertainty in the context of a drayage case at the Port of Rotterdam. They compare their agent-based solution approach to a wellknown on-line optimization approach and study the comparative performance of both systems across four scenarios of varying job arrival uncertainty. The chapter concludes that when less than 50% of all jobs are known at the start of the day then an agent-based approach performs competitively with an on-line optimization approach.

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Comparative economic efficiency, operating costs and fuel consumption rates of freight transport modes between the largest industrial cities and seaports in South Africa

Risk Governance and Control Financial Markets & Institutions ◽

10.22495/rgcv3i3art2 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 16-27

Author(s):

Wessel Pienaar

Keyword(s):

Fuel Consumption ◽

Operating Cost ◽

Freight Transport ◽

Research Approach ◽

Cost Structures ◽

Industrial Cities ◽

Transport Industry ◽

Consumption Rates ◽

Enhance Efficiency ◽

The Cost

The paper deals with aspects of efficiency within the five modes of freight transport, with special reference to the operating cost and fuel consumption rates between South Africa’s largest industrial cities and seaports. In particular, the paper deals with (a) the opportunities that exist for the achievement of efficiency in freight transport; (b) the subgroups of economies that can enhance efficiency attainment in the freight transport industry; (c) prevailing cost structures, operating cost and fuel consumption rates within the five modes of freight transport; and (d) the salient economic features of the freight transport market. The research approach and methodology combine (a) a literature survey; (b) empiric research, (c) an analysis of the cost structures of freight transport operators from different modes of transport; and (d) interviews conducted with specialists in the freight transport industry.

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The Analysis and Calculation of the Cost of Intermodal Freight Transport

2009 Second International Conference on Intelligent Computation Technology and Automation ◽

10.1109/icicta.2009.824 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cheng Yao-rong ◽

Su Ming ◽

Chen Yue

Keyword(s):

Freight Transport ◽

Intermodal Freight ◽

The Cost

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THE CHARACTERISTICS OPERATIONAL COST OF FREIGHT TRANSPORT IN SOUTH SULAWESI PROVINCE - INDONESIA

SINERGI ◽

10.22441/sinergi.2021.1.011 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 81

Author(s):

Hakzah Hakzah ◽

Muhammad Isran Ramli ◽

Andi Irmayani Pawelloi

Keyword(s):

Travel Time ◽

Operating Cost ◽

Freight Transportation ◽

Freight Transport ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Time Model ◽

South Sulawesi ◽

Cost Modelling ◽

Relationship Model ◽

The Cost

Infrastructure development of the freight transport system has a vital position in accelerating Indonesian economic growth. This study aims to analyze one of the dominant characteristics of freight transportation, namely freight transportation costs in South Sulawesi Province. A questionnaire-based interview survey of operators was conducted to determine operator characteristics, vehicle characteristics, trip characteristics, and commodity characteristics. They are analyzing data using a descriptive statistical approach, building a cost and distance relationship model using a regression model approach while analyzing the priority of freight transport selection using an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). An AHP is a decision-making model with multiple criteria. The analysis shows that the high costs are the component costs of the operator’s salary, fuel costs, and vehicle maintenance costs. Operating cost modelling provides a good level of models, both in terms of modes and commodities transported. In contrast, the travel time model based on modes and types of commodities shows inefficient. Based on the results, the pickup mode is optimal in cost and travel time with a weight of 39.8% and 50.3%. Trucks 3-4-5 Axles are the optimal mode of transportation when viewed in terms of distance (58.8%) and transportation volume (65.5%). In contrast, the two Axles Truck has characteristics between Pickups and 3-4-5 Axles Trucks. This result is better developed for a more comprehensive model of the cost of freight transport in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia.

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Review of Sustainable Multimodal Freight Transportation System in African Developing Countries: Evidence from Ghana

International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/jera.41.155 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

pp. 155-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Stephen Okyere ◽

Jia Qi Yang ◽

Kwabena Sarpong Aning ◽

Bin Zhan

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Traffic Congestion ◽

Developing Economies ◽

Freight Transport ◽

Transportation Systems ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Intermodal Transport ◽

African Countries ◽

Developed Economies ◽

Intermodal Freight

The importance of transportation in the socio-economic development of nations cannot be downplayed. Intermodal transport has become vital concept for ensuring sustainable freight transport in developed economies but less focused on among African scientific community as it attracts fewer researches and developments. This paper aims to review and promote the development of sustainable intermodal freight transport systems in African developing countries with insights from Ghana.The researchers adopted literature review approach for the global intermodal developments and that of developing economies with emphasis on Africa and Ghana.Transport experts and experienced practitioners’ opinions were sought to complement the limited literature on the means to improve intermodal transport and logistics management systems. Authors discovered that some African countries like Ghana potentially posses some relevant multimodal resources such as seaport, waterway, railway and road infrastructures. However, they are not well interconnected to acquire intermodal benefits. Besides, the existing transportation systems were mostly road dominated and frauded with cost-inefficiencies; greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, accidents, high maintenance and service deficiencies.The constraints are lack of skilled labor, limited infrastructure, safety and security problems, limited institutional capacity, poor intermodal transport network and connectivity issues. Some practical measures to improve the lapses in the transport system were highlighted. It was suggested that management of African developing countries must remodify their transport policies to attract investors and transport players. This would strengthen Public Private Partnerships (PPP) collaborations in developing intermodal freight transport and logistics systems.

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Robust Optimization Solution to Emergency Mobile Facility Fleet Size and Location

Mathematical Problems in Engineering ◽

10.1155/2019/7161204 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Jianxun Li ◽

Kin Keung Lai ◽

Qiuping Lin

Keyword(s):

Robust Optimization ◽

Ant Colony Algorithm ◽

Programming Model ◽

Optimization Approach ◽

Fleet Size ◽

Emergency Response System ◽

Emergency Event ◽

Computational Difficulty ◽

The Cost ◽

Mobile Facilities

Allocation of emergency mobile facility is the key problem of the emergency response system, which affects the cost and the satisfaction of services for emergency so as to rapidly respond to disasters, contagions, etc. In order to seek a reasonable fleet size and locations of emergency mobile facilities, we propose a two-stage programming model with the objective function of minimizing the total cost. With uncertain characteristics of emergency event, the model conforms to the requirement for noninterruptible service and tries to satisfy all emergency demands. For overcoming the computational difficulty of emergency mobile facility fleet size and location problem, a robust optimization approach and modified ant colony algorithm are employed to obtain solutions. The illustrative example shows that the model can provide a reasonable solution to the determination of the fleet size and locations of emergency mobile facilities and that the risk recognition factor of the model can further guide decision-making.

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Optimal placement design for picking and packing in distribution centers

Advances in Mechanical Engineering ◽

10.1177/16878140211010657 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 168781402110106

Author(s):

John Rios ◽

Rodrigo Linfati ◽

Daniel Morillo-Torres ◽

Iván Derpich ◽

Gustavo Gatica

Keyword(s):

Optimal Allocation ◽

Programming Model ◽

Operating Cost ◽

Nonlinear Integer Programming ◽

Operating Costs ◽

Optimal Placement ◽

Distribution Centers ◽

Suitable Space ◽

Efficient Distribution

An efficient distribution center (DC) is one that receives, stores, picks and packs products into new logistics units and then dispatches them to points of sale at the minimal operating cost. The picking and packing processes represent the highest operating cost of a DC, and both require a suitable space for their operation. An effective coordination between these zones prevents bottlenecks and has a direct impact on the DC’s operational results. In the existing literature, there are no studies that optimize the distribution of the picking and packing areas simultaneously while also reducing operating costs. This article proposes an integer nonlinear integer programming model that minimizes order preparation costs. It does so by predicting customer demand based on historical data and defining the ideal area for picking and packing activities. The model is validated through a real case study of seven clients and fifteen products. It achieves a [Formula: see text] reduction in operating costs when the optimal allocation of the picking and packing areas is made.

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Solving the cost to go with time penalization using the Lagrange optimization approach

Soft Computing ◽

10.1007/s00500-020-05556-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julio B. Clempner

Keyword(s):

Optimization Approach ◽

The Cost

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A robust-heuristic optimization approach to a green supply chain design with consideration of assorted vehicle types and carbon policies under uncertainty

Annals of Operations Research ◽

10.1007/s10479-021-03985-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zahra Homayouni ◽

Mir Saman Pishvaee ◽

Hamed Jahani ◽

Dmitry Ivanov

Keyword(s):

Supply Chains ◽

Large Scale ◽

Programming Model ◽

Supply Chain Design ◽

Heuristic Optimization ◽

Optimization Approach ◽

Economic Uncertainty ◽

Cap And Trade ◽

Sustainable Logistics ◽

Goal Programming Model

AbstractAdoption of carbon regulation mechanisms facilitates an evolution toward green and sustainable supply chains followed by an increased complexity. Through the development and usage of a multi-choice goal programming model solved by an improved algorithm, this article investigates sustainability strategies for carbon regulations mechanisms. We first propose a sustainable logistics model that considers assorted vehicle types and gas emissions involved with product transportation. We then construct a bi-objective model that minimizes total cost as the first objective function and follows environmental considerations in the second one. With our novel robust-heuristic optimization approach, we seek to support the decision-makers in comparison and selection of carbon emission policies in supply chains in complex settings with assorted vehicle types, demand and economic uncertainty. We deploy our model in a case-study to evaluate and analyse two carbon reduction policies, i.e., carbon-tax and cap-and-trade policies. The results demonstrate that our robust-heuristic methodology can efficiently deal with demand and economic uncertainty, especially in large-scale problems. Our findings suggest that governmental incentives for a cap-and-trade policy would be more effective for supply chains in lowering pollution by investing in cleaner technologies and adopting greener practices.

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