Sea-rail Intermodal Transport Research Articles

A performance-driven multi-algorithm selection strategy for energy consumption optimization of sea-rail intermodal transportation

Abstract Various powerful differential evolution (DE) algorithms have been developed in the past years, although none of them can consistently perform well on all types of problems. However, it is not straightforward to choose an appropriate algorithm for solving a real-world problem, as the properties of the problem are usually not well understood beforehand. Therefore, how to automatically select an appropriate DE variant for solving a particular problem at hand is an important and challenging task. In the present work, a performance-driven multi-algorithm selection strategy (PMSS) is proposed to alleviate the above mentioned problems for single objective optimization. In PMSS, a learning-forgetting mechanism is introduced to update the selection probability of each algorithm from a pool of DE variants to make sure that the best performing one is chosen during the search process. The effectiveness of PMSS is carefully examined on two suites of widely used test problems and the results indicate that the PMSS is highly effective and computationally efficient. Finally, the proposed algorithm is employed to optimize the energy consumption of sea-rail intermodal transportation. Our simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is successful achieving satisfactory solution that are able to provide insights into the problem and the algorithm is promising to be applied for solving real sea-rail intermodal and other multimodal transportation planning problems.

Stochastic Empty Container Repositioning Problem with CO2 Emission Considerations for an Intermodal Transportation System

As one of main challenge for carriers, empty container repositioning is subject to various uncertain factors in practice, which causes more operation costs. At the same time, the movements of empty containers can result in air pollution because of the CO2 emission, which has a negative impact on sustainable development. To incorporate environmental and stochastic characteristics of container shipping, in this paper, an empty container repositioning problem, taking into account CO2 emission, stochastic demand, and supply, is introduced in a sea–rail intermodal transportation system. This problem is formulated as a chance-constrained nonlinear integer programming model minimising the expected value of total weighted cost. A sample average approximation method is applied to convert this model into its deterministic equivalents, which is then solved by the proposed two-phase tabu search algorithm. A numerical example is studied to conclude that the stochastic demand and supply lead to more repositioning and CO2 emission-related cost. Total cost, inventory cost, and leasing cost increase with the variabilities of uncertain parameters. We also found that the total cost and other component costs are strongly dependent on the weights of repositioning cost and CO2 emission-related cost. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis is conducted on unit leasing cost.

Optimization of Gantry Crane Scheduling in Container Sea-Rail Intermodal Transport Yard

In the face of rising container throughput and the tasks associated with collecting and dispatching these containers, contributions to the development of sea-rail intermodal transport are required to improve the capacity of container transportation. According to the characteristics and the requirements of the operation of sea-rail intermodal transport, this paper puts forward a design for the transport yard which facilitates container loading and unloading. Through the establishment of a mixed integer programming model, a flexible schedule for gantry crane operation can be realized, so that, during the planned period, the amount of task overflow in loading and unloading operations and the distance covered by all gantry cranes in the yard is minimized. In addition, a genetic algorithm is designed to solve this model. Finally, a specific example of the loading and unloading of a container train at the sea-rail intermodal transport yard is selected to verify the model and the algorithm. The results show that the algorithm can reasonably schedule the gantry cranes to improve their loading and unloading efficiencies in the sea-rail intermodal transport yard.

A chance-constrained stochastic approach to intermodal container routing problems.

We consider a container routing problem with stochastic time variables in a sea-rail intermodal transportation system. The problem is formulated as a binary integer chance-constrained programming model including stochastic travel times and stochastic transfer time, with the objective of minimising the expected total cost. Two chance constraints are proposed to ensure that the container service satisfies ship fulfilment and cargo on-time delivery with pre-specified probabilities. A hybrid heuristic algorithm is employed to solve the binary integer chance-constrained programming model. Two case studies are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed model and to analyse the impact of stochastic variables and chance-constraints on the optimal solution and total cost.

Study on Collaborative Model of Sea-Rail Intermodal Transport Based on Stackelberg Game

This paper investigates the issue of channel coordination for a two-stage supply chain with one retailer (railway freight forwarding) and one manufacturer (port freight forwarding) based on Stackelberg game. The demand of sea-rail intermodal transport is influenced by the retailer's sales effort. We found that using the wholesale price contract alone cannot coordinate the sea-rail intermodal transport service supply chain well. Joining the wholesale price contract with the sales effort cost sharing model remains ineffective in managing the two-stage supply chain. To effectively coordinate the channel members, we were joining the wholesale price contract with the sales effort cost sharing and the revenue sharing contract. We identify the optimal level of retail sales effort, optimal level of revenue sharing and optimal supply chain profit. And the enterprises in sea-rail intermodal transport service supply chain can achieve the purposes of market development.

Analysis of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Rail-Sea Intermodal Transportation Collection and Separation System

Chinese enterprises will participate in the Tanzania-Zambia railway reconstruction project and operation management by way of franchising. Analyzing the Tanzania and Zambia policy and the cargo component of the Tanzania-Zambia railway, this study put forward some relevant suggestions on the structure and conditions of rail-sea intermodal transportation. In the end, in order to flourish the economy in Tanzania-Zambia area, Tanzania-Zambia railway should have access to the port develops market, set up the logistics center and develop sea-rail intermodal transportation vigorously.

Sensitivity Analysis on Key Factors of Sea-Rail Intermodal Transport System of Dry Bulk

With the growing demand of dry bulk in China, sea-rail intermodal transport gets more attention. In order to define the key factors of sea-rail intermodal transport of dry bulk , system dynamic and modeling software VENSIM were used to establish system dynamic model of sea-rail intermodal transport of dry bulk, and the case of sea-rail intermodal transport of dry bulk of Meizhou Bay Port in Fujian was used to simulate and check the model, the result shows that the model is feasible and effective. Finally, the key factors in the model were sensitively analyzed , and suggestions of promoting the development of sea-rail intermodal transport in Meizhou Bay port were made.

Multi-objective Model on Connection Time Optimization in Sea-rail Intermodal Transport

Multi-objective Model on Connection Time Optimization in Sea-rail Intermodal Transport

Optimal Slot Control Model of Container Sea-Rail Intermodal Transport based on Revenue Management

Slot control problem of container sea-rail intermodal transport is important for a Multimodal Transport Operator (MTO) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. In this paper, a two-stage slot control optimization model for multi Origin-Destination-Fare (ODF) container sea-rail intermodal transport is established based on revenue management. Features of freight organization and customer segmentation of container sea-rail intermodal transport are taken into account in this two-stage model. The model in the first stage solves slot control for contract customers and empty containers, and the model in the second stage solves slot control for general and urgent customers. Considering the relative certainty of demand in the first stage and the uncertainty characteristic of demand in the second one, the method of deterministic linear programming (DLP) and stochastic linear programming (SLP) are employed to transform and solve the models respectively. An example is also presented in this study to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the models and algorithms.

To Promote the Development of Container Rail-Sea Intermodal Transport in China Through Optimization of Railway Transport Organization

To compare the proportion of container rail-sea intermodal transportation in container transportation at home and abroad, this paper analyzed the reasons of container rail-sea intermodal transportation development was relative lag in China were mainly shown on that trunk railway transport capacity was in shortage, the connection between ports and railway lines weren’t close, railway tariff mechanism was irrational, ports and railway stations were lacking in information sharing, and operation organization mode was imperfect, etc. In order to seek highly effective and economical modes of container rail-sea intermodal transportation and strive to develop the significant advantages of railway freight transport compared with other transport modes, in view of the above problems this paper proceeds from the railway transport organization and puts forward several programs, e.g. establish sea-rail intermodal transport channels, improve cargo sources organization, construct rail-port through transport mode and the passengerized transport organizing of container train, etc.

Dynamic Pricing Model of Container Sea-Rail Intermodal Transport on Single OD Line

In the management of container sea-rail intermodal transportation, dynamic pricing problem with uncertain conditions has significant impacts on the benefit and competitiveness of a multimodal transport operator. Based on the revenue management theory and the features of container sea-rail intermodal transport, this paper develops a two stages optimal model which integrates dynamic pricing and slot allocation on single origin-destination line. The first stage is proposed by considering long-term slot allocation in contract market, and the second stage is set up in consideration of the dynamic pricing in free market. Because of the demand uncertainty and the statistic error characteristics, the method of chance constrained programming and a robust optimization model are used to solve the models, respectively. The simulation shows the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed models and algorithms.