Planning an Intermodal Terminal for the Sustainable Transport Networks

Abstract

Growing competition in the global market imposes the need for adequate planning of transportation processes and development of intermodal transport networks, whereby intermodal terminals play a key role. This paper proposes a methodology for prioritization of the intermodal terminal's development features, as the procedure in its planning process, leading to the design of the intermodal terminal in accordance with the needs of various stakeholders and the principles of the sustainable development. As the stakeholders often have conflicting interests and objectives, it is necessary to consider a broad set of requirements and developmental features that enable the fulfillment of the defined requirements. In order to solve the problem this paper proposes a new hybrid multi-criteria decision-making model that combines Delphi, Analytical Network Process (ANP) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methods in the fuzzy environment. The applicability of the proposed model is demonstrated by solving an example of planning an intermodal terminal in Belgrade.Sustainability 2019, 11, 4102 2 of 20 gained substantial attention in recent years, in academic research (e.g., [5,6]), as well as in practice. For example, the European Union set the goals to shift 30% of the road freight transport over 300 km to other, more environmental friendly means of transport (such as rail and waterborne), by the year 2030, and more than 50% by 2050 [7]. These goals can be achieved only by more intensive development of the intermodal transport.One of the major subsystems of the intermodal transport is intermodal terminal representing the place of storage and transshipment of intermodal transport units between the different modes of transport [8]. Intermodal terminals play a significant role in achieving socio-economic and environmental sustainability [9], and their development has an impact on improving the competitive advantage in the market [10]. Accordingly, requirements, goals and needs of different stakeholders, such as investors, owners, operators of the terminal, terminal users, authorities and residents, have to be in taken into consideration in the process of intermodal terminal planning. Their demands are often conflicting; therefore, a solution that should fit all actors involved is the goal in the planning process. Thus far, the research in the area of intermodal transport planning focused mainly on finding the optimal location for intermodal terminals (e.g., [11][12][13]) or how to improve operational efficiency of inland intermodal terminals [14][15][16]. However, the research related to solving the intermodal terminal planning problems taking into consideration variety of methods is rather scarce. Papers dealing with terminal planning are mainly focused on the intermodal transport network planning or the selection of terminal location. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to define a methodology that comprehensively examines the different stakeholders' requirements based on which it defines and prioritizes development features ...

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