Optimization in multimodal freight transportation problems: A Survey

Abstract

Since the rise of globalization, international trade has grown constantly and the demand of transportation services grew with it. Multimodal transportation is a natural evolution of the classical unimodal road transportation, and is a mandatory choice for intercontinental shipments. Optimization techniques always found a challenging but stimulating ground for applications in transportation, and the increase in the number of commodities that are transported every year all around the globe enhanced the interest and the usefulness of operational research methodologies, which are needed to properly manage complex transportation systems. The literature on multimodal transportation optimization is flourishing with interesting and multifaceted problems. Meanwhile, new emerging technologies generate new challenges for researchers. The objective of this literature review is to provide a picture of the state of the art on multimodal freight transportation optimization, for the different combinations of modes. An overview of recently published studies is given, identifying currently ongoing topics and emerging trends for future research.