Optimizing the Multimodal Maritime Container Distribution Network: The Case of the Netherlands
Developing an efficient and effective multimodal freight transport network is an important European Commission (EC) strategy to achieve a sustainable transport system. However, multimodal freight transport has been shown to be hardly competitive for haulages shorter than 300 km. This is particularly a problem in the countries like the Netherlands, as most of the containers are transported over short distances. The authors present an integrated multimodal network optimization model for strategic long-term planning, which considers the infrastructure configuration and alternative hub service networks. In particular, they evaluate alternatives for optimizing the container transport network focusing on inland waterway transport. The benefits gained from consolidation effects do not compensate for the extra costs of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. The effects of CO2 pricing that aims to reduce CO2 emissions are limited. Closing those terminals which are not able to attract an appropriate volume of freight flows increases the overall network efficiency. The analysis on the service networks operated by the barge transport mode indicates that one of the hub-and-spoke configurations would be promising in competing with the shuttle (barge) services in the markets which are developing, according to a scenario based on the estimated demand for Dutch container transport in the year 2040.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AT045(1) AT045 Paper Review Subcommittee.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Zhang, Mo
- Janic, Milan
- Tavasszy, Lori
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 92nd Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2013-1-13 to 2013-1-17
- Date: 2013
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References;
- Pagination: 15p
- Monograph Title: TRB 92nd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Barges; Containers; Freight transportation; Hub and spoke systems; Inland waterways; Multimodal transportation; Optimization; Water transportation
- Geographic Terms: Netherlands
- Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01476593
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 13-1188
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Mar 22 2013 9:22AM