Intermodal network design: a three-mode bi-objective model applied to the case of Belgium

Abstract

Freight transport planning is nowadays encouraged to align with environmental objectives. Among those, climate change is of particular interest for many countries. In its White Paper on Transport, the European Commission considers intermodal transport as a potential solution for reducing environmental impacts. In order to make good strategic transport decisions, realistic decision support models for freight transport networks must The study also highlights the interest of intermodal transport on short distances, and the risk of flow exchanges inside the intermodal market share, rather than between road and intermodal transport.

Design and management of freight transport networks: intermodal transport and externalities

“…The differences between this research work (Mostert et al, 2017a) and the studies of Zhang et al ( , 2015 are presented in Zhang et al ( , 2015 and Mostert et al (2017a) The papers of Meers and Macharis (2014), Bouchery and Fransoo (2015), Santos et al (2015) are also close to this research but they are based on different tools or integrate other aspects of transportation planning. Meers and Macharis (2014) focus on the terminal operator's perspective using a GIS-based approach, while we formulate the mixed integer nonlinear model at a global level and provide decision-making tools to different stakeholders.…”

“…: Comparison of the research works of Zhang et al ( , 2015 and Mostert et al (2017a) (Emisia, 2015) and costs (Ricardo AEA, 2014) Table 31: Sensitivity analysis of flows to air pollution external costs variations187…”

“…For decision support tools relating to optimization, this analysis is performed through network design models which determine the flow distribution between road and intermodal transport, as well as the location of intermodal terminals. Most of the research concentrates on the minimization of the operational costs on the network (for instance Arnold et al 2004, Racunica and Wynter, 2005, Limbourg and Jourquin, 2009, Limbourg and Jourquin, 2010, Ishfaq and Sox, 2011, Sörensen et al, 2012, Sörensen and Vanovermeire, 2013, Ghane-Ezabadi and Vergara, 2016; however, some models focus on CO 2 emissions (Mostert et al, 2017a) or on generalized costs of transport, including transport externalities (Iannone, 2012, Santos et al, 2015.…”

“…Macharis et al, 2010 andSantos et al, 2015), providing a global insight but making it impossible to assess the specific impact of each specific external cost (congestion, accident, air pollution, water pollution, noise, etc.). Others account mainly for CO 2 emissions , Mostert et al, 2017a in order to analyze how the integration of global warming influences the location of intermodal terminals, and the allocation of flows. However, no study was found that specifically focused on the trade-offs between economic and human health interests of freight transport at a strategic level of decision making, using an optimization approach.…”

“…The following formulation is based on the intermodal location-allocation model developed by Mostert et al (2017a). In this paper, we consider that intermodal terminals are already located on the studied geographical zone.…”