Developing intermodal transport for small flows over short distances

Bärthel, Fredrik; Woxenius, Johan

doi:10.1080/0308106042000287586

Cited by 68 publications

(39 citation statements)

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“…Despite its disadvantages-such as high extra costs for relatively short-distance collection/distribution by trucks and their transhipments, and a less-flexible schedule-the multimodal freight system has great potential to significantly reduce total logistics costs, mainly through economies of scale gained in long-haulage with non-road transport modes [1]. However, it is generally understood that specifying economies of scale within a cost function is quite difficult [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A knowledge based freight management decision support system incorporating economies of scale: multimodal minimum cost flow optimization approach

2014

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This study developed a framework incorporating economies of scale into the multimodal minimum cost flow problem. To properly account for the economies of scale observed in practice, we explicitly modelled economies of scale on quantity, distance and vehicle size in a given multimodal freight network. The proposed multimodal minimum cost flow problem formulation has concave equations due to economies of scale for quantity, nonlinear equations due to economies of scale for both quantity and distance, and non-continuous equations due to the economies of scale for vehicle size. A genetic algorithm was applied to find acceptable route, mode, and vehicle size choices for the multimodal minimum cost flow problem. We demonstrated how the economies of scale influenced system (mode), route choices, and total cost under various demand/service capacity scenarios. Our results will lead into more realistic assessments of intermodal system by explicitly considering the three types of economies of scale.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A knowledge based freight management decision support system incorporating economies of scale: multimodal minimum cost flow optimization approach

2014

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“…Whether or not a particular product is suitable for intermodal transport includes such considerations as the lead time and size of orders, the value and the physical characteristics of the product. Problems with intermodal transport include distance, lack of flexibility, lead time for service development and the role of the last mile (Bärthel & Woxenius, 2004;Slack & Vogt, 2007). In addition, high fixed costs of rail operators and the requirement to consolidate flows on key routes make profitable service development difficult.…”

Section: General Issues Influencing Intermodal Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating intermodal transport with logistics: a case study of the UK retail sector

Monios¹

2015

Transportation Planning and Technology

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Retail traffic is one of the main drivers for the growth of intermodal transport services in the UK. The aim of this paper is to understand the key factors underpinning this modal shift in order to learn lessons for other market and geographical contexts.Successful retail intermodal logistics involves many actors, thus this paper is based on semistructured interviews with major retailers, third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and rail operators, supplemented by document analysis. The qualitative data are analysed via a conceptual framework derived from the literature.Despite past successes and the presence of drivers for future growth, the paper identifies many operational issues without current solutions and the presence of ongoing public subsidy. The major conclusion is that the importance of 3PLs, aggregation and multi-user platforms must be recognised by transport planners in supporting the use of intermodal transport by retailers and other large shippers.

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“…This second stream of literature assesses the role of transport actors in choosing intermodal transport (Van Schijndel and Dinwoodie, 2000;Panayides, 2002;Bärthel & Woxenius, 2004;Runhaar & van der Heijden, 2005), the economic feasibility of rail shuttles (Ballis & Golias, 2002;Arnold et al, 2004;Janic, 2007;Kreutzberger, 2008;Kim & Wee, 2011;Iannone, 2012) and the importance of aligning cargo types with intermodal service characteristics (Woodburn, 2003;Slack & Vogt, 2007;Van der Horst & de Langen, 2008;Woodburn, 2011;Eng-Larsson & Kohn, 2012). The literature reveals that the use of rail transport at European ports remains challenged by fragmented demand and short distances.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Container Type Diversification on Regional British Port Development Strategies

Monios

Wilmsmeier

2014

Transport Reviews

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Despite a concentration of container traffic in the southeast of the UK over the last few decades, regional ports are attempting new development strategies to capture or retain specific traffic segments. These include intra-European short sea traffic and a potentially increasing feeder market. These trends are reflected in the movement of different container types, which result in a number of planning challenges related to changing infrastructural and operational requirements. This paper uses highly disaggregated data on container type movements to address three issues that can inform these planning challenges. First, the imbalance of trade resulting in empty container repositioning; second, the requirement for gauge-cleared rail routes to cater for the increasing proportion of high-cube containers; and third, the specialisation of European short sea traffic at secondary UK ports. Results reveal the disproportionate repositioning of empty containers at Scottish ports and the importance of 45ft, high-cube and pallet-wide containers at regional ports, highlighting their focus on intra-European short sea traffic and raising difficulties relating to their lower quality of landside infrastructure (particularly rail) in comparison to the large south-eastern ports. The potential repercussions on hinterland infrastructure development raise questions about both public and private sector responses to regional port development.

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Developing intermodal transport for small flows over short distances

Cited by 68 publications

References 0 publications

A knowledge based freight management decision support system incorporating economies of scale: multimodal minimum cost flow optimization approach

A knowledge based freight management decision support system incorporating economies of scale: multimodal minimum cost flow optimization approach

Integrating intermodal transport with logistics: a case study of the UK retail sector

The Impact of Container Type Diversification on Regional British Port Development Strategies

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