Optimal loading of double-stack container trains

Amit Upadhyay, Weihua Gu and Nomesh Bolia

Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 2017, vol. 107, issue C, 1-22

Abstract: We develop a new mathematical model for optimizing the loading of double-stack container trains. We analyze the practical importance of multiple objectives reported in the literature and formulate two new objectives: maximizing profit and minimizing tardiness. The model accounts for containers of different types, weights, and heights, and their feasible loading combinations on a wagon satisfying real operational constraints. The model is solved optimally by CPLEX after exploiting the problem specific properties. A decision support system based on this optimization model has been deployed by a major train operator in India. Numerical cases show that our model can reduce the container haulage cost by about 3%.

Keywords: Container trains; Decision support system; Intermodal transport; Heuristics; Indian Railways (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2017.08.010

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