Optimization of inter-modal rail transport within a port area and reaching the hinterland


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Date

2018-01

Publication Type

Conference Paper

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Abstract

This paper investigates the problem of optimizing inter-terminal movements of containers and vehicles within a port in order to achieve a smooth and effective transport within the port and towards the hinterland. Intermodal rail transport (IRT) is the combination of formation of trains already in origin terminals, moving containers across terminals, and/or moving them towards a main formation yard, according to cost and effectiveness. IRT is promising but requires coordination between different stakeholders such as terminal and railway network operators. To provide some insights about how to organize the IRT in a port area, this paper proposes an optimization model describing the movement of containers and various vehicles between and inside terminals. The objective of the model is to minimize the number of containers that cannot reach their destination on time. The problem is further constrained with the fleet and handling facilities in terminals. A network inspired by a real life port is used as a test case to test different IRT components, i.e., inter-terminal transport connections, train formation, railway timetable. The result of the optimization helps in identifying the most promising features of IRT, namely, that more connections between terminals and a flexible outbound railway timetable.

Publication status

published

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Editor

Book title

2018 TRB Annual Meeting Online

Journal / series

Volume

Pages / Article No.

Publisher

Transportation Research Board

Event

97th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board (TRB 2018)

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Date created

Subject

Container handling; Container terminals; Intermodal transportation; Optimization; Port traffic; Ports; Railroad transportation; Terminal operations

Organisational unit

09611 - Corman, Francesco / Corman, Francesco check_circle
02655 - Netzwerk Stadt u. Landschaft ARCH u BAUG / Network City and Landscape ARCH and BAUG

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