Optimal rail-road container terminal locations on the European network

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThe European transport policy has focused on sustainable transport solutions, among which intermodal transport is a key player. However, its efficiency is strongly dependent on the location of the container terminals. In this paper, a set of estimated potential locations is used as input for an iterative procedure based on the p-hub median problem that takes the variation in trans-shipment costs according to the number of trans-shipped containers into account. The final results are the optimal locations for European transfer terminals embedded in a hub-and-spoke network.

A review and analysis of the investment in, and cost structure of, intermodal rail terminals

“…The most common configuration in the literature is a hub-and-spoke network configuration (Limbourg & Jourquin, 2009;SteadieSeifi, Dellaert, Nuijten, Van Woensel, & Raoufi, 2014). We do not report details of hub location literature here for brevity.…”

“…They further extend the model by proposing an iterative procedure based on both the p-hub median problem and the multi-modal assignment problem. In the extension, they focus on the effect of considering the flow dependent economies of scale on transhipment cost (Limbourg & Jourquin, 2009). The model is applied to find the location for seven European transfer terminals.…”

“…intermodal rail freight terminals (IRTs) are important to intermodal rail freight transport because of costs, operations, and quality interactions. An increasing body of scientific literature focuses on intermodal terminals (Limbourg & Jourquin, 2009;Macharis & Pekin, 2009;Nierat, 1997;Roso, Woxenius, & Lumsden, 2009). Not much is known, however, about the role of investment in, and exploitation of IRTs in relation to the operational characteristics and occupancy rates of IRTs.…”

Simulation and optimisation of intermodal barge transport networks

“…Their objective is to minimize total truck-miles travelled in a regional intermodal goods movement system. Limbourg and Jourquin (2009) point at the international network effects underlying the decision to open a new intermodal rail-road container terminal. The authors propose an iterative procedure based on a p-hub median problem and a multi-modal assignment problem.…”

The Role of Railway Integrated Distribution Centers in Industrial Zones to Improve Logistics Competitiveness

“…Intermodal goods transport is an important key to a sustainable overall distribution system of goods (Terrin et al, 2016). So far, transportation of goods by train has been considered as a means of transporting goods with the characteristics of goods transported raw materials in large volumes and not too sensitive by time.…”