A Practical Accessibility Evaluation Method for Port-Centric Coal Transportation Chains: Considering the Environment and Operational Adaptability

Abstract

Improving the accessibility of coal transportation is a crucial issue for energy security, national defense, and livelihoods. In this study, a method to evaluate the performance of the port-centric coal transportation chain (PCTC), which is a crucial part of the international coal production and delivery process, is proposed. After analyzing the features of the port-centric coal transportation chain, a practical accessibility evaluation model is established based on the gravity model. Both the foreland and hinterland features are considered in the model. Based on the features of coal transportation, the concept of port operational adaptability is introduced to indicate the port’s ability to manage a fluctuating irregular workload. Moreover, environmental factors, including transportation emissions and dust pollution, are included in the evaluation system. Based on real data collected from China’s north-south coal transportation corridor, a case study presents the implementation of this comprehensive evaluation system in practice. This evaluation system enables us to determine the vulnerable areas in the coal maritime transportation network and provides a decision-making basis for both shippers and port owners.

Study on the Impact of the Whole Life Cycle Operation Process of Large Ports on Environmental Externalities

“…In addition, rail-water intermodal transport helps to reduce environmental pollution in the areas surrounding the port and contributes to combating climate change by reducing the contribution of port operations to carbon emissions. This environmental benefit is critical to the sustainability of ports, helping to ensure that they continue to provide critical services to society and the economy while reducing adverse impacts on the environment and human health [20] .…”

A Layer-Based Relaxation Approach for Service Network Design

“…In addition, different network structures were addressed in the literature, such as multimodal networks [28], long-haul and local transportation structures [29], autonomous fleets [30], and heterogeneous fleets [31]. Furthermore, SND methodologies have attracted much scientific research attention in developing green logistics and green supply-chain systems: for example, the green closed-loop supply chain network design for ventilators during the COVID-19 epidemic [32], the multitier supply network design methodology in reducing cost and carbon emissions [33], the intermodal green p-hub median problem [34], an approach to evaluating the coal transportation chain to reduce carbon emissions and pollution [35], reducing the negative environmental impact in freight transportation by understanding service buyers [36], effective green transit network design methodologies under urban expansion [37,38], an electrical transportation network design method to reduce congestion and carbon emissions [39,40], and a collaborative fleet routing methodology for sustainable seaport transportation [41].…”