Evolution of the China Railway Express Consolidation Network and Optimization of Consolidation Routes

Abstract

China Rail Express (CRE) is the international container train line that runs between China and Europe. Since the implementation of China’s Belt and Road initiative, CRE has developed rapidly. As most CRE trains travel directly from source to destination without load consolidation, CRE faces issues such as an insufficient cargo supply, a low load factor, and a low profit margin. To address these problems, we analyzed the selection of potential consolidation centers and the optimization of consolidation routes to these centers from the perspective of complex network evolution. First, we constructed rules for generation and evolution of the complex network. Next, we generated logistics connection topology networks for CRE from 2013 to 2017 using those rules. We then optimized the consolidation routes based on the network structures formed from those rules. Chongqing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Shenyang, Lanzhou, Urumqi, and Tianjin were selected as potential consolidation centers. We conclude with a sensitivity analyses and a discussion of management implications for CRE.

Optimizing Intermodal Transport and Hub Location Problem for ECOWAS in the Context of Improving Intra-African Trade

“…Here, the focus is primarily on air transport across East Africa but did not address airports within West Africa such as Nigeria and other modes of transport across Africa. Zhao et al [13] introduced the study of evolutional transportation networks with an emphasis on the evolution of China Railway and utilizing a genetic algorithm interlinear programming and optimized the logistical network focusing on railway transport across China. Moreover, Zhao et al [13] showed that as networks evolved, their logistical routes became more complex with a need for adopting a hybrid hub-and-spoke model to address these complexities.…”

“…Zhao et al [13] introduced the study of evolutional transportation networks with an emphasis on the evolution of China Railway and utilizing a genetic algorithm interlinear programming and optimized the logistical network focusing on railway transport across China. Moreover, Zhao et al [13] showed that as networks evolved, their logistical routes became more complex with a need for adopting a hybrid hub-and-spoke model to address these complexities. Sun et al [21] focused on 48 origin cities utilizing TOPSIS with a cluster analysis to select 10 hub cities looking closely at China Railway Express.…”

“…e remainder of the constraints defines non-negativity constraints and constraints negative binary variables. Based on data from literature [13], unit waiting cost is assumed to be the opportunity cost incurred as a result of waiting and is μ � .…”

“…To address these issues, some researchers have proposed short, cost-efficient, and reliable intermodal transport between a limited number of prominent African transshipment hubs across Africa, such as the study of Contreras et al [8], Meng and Wang [9], Alumur et al [10], Adler et al [11], Mokhtar et al [12], Zhao et al [13], and Zhao et al [14], which would provide frequent, economic, and dependable transportation, and encourage interregional trade, capitalize on the considerable potential for economic growth, and solve high interregional trade costs. In these researches, an intermodal collection and distribution service will then connect hubs to cargo origins and destinations with the optimized cost.…”

Can the opening of China railway express reduce urban carbon emissions? a Difference-in-differences analysis in China

“…As a result, the nodes are important to multimodal transportation. Zhao et al (2018) and Zhao et al (2019) comprehensively evaluated the CRE network and empirically analyze the selection of consolidation centers and the optimization of routes.…”