Analyzing cost allocation techniques in intermodal barge networks for freight bundling

Abstract

A great deal of scientific literature reports on the behavior of allocation methods in collaborations between shippers or carriers making use of unimodal road transport. However, research on cost or savings allocation methods in intermodal transport is scarce. The main contribution of our research is thus to provide a first insight in the complexity of sharing cost savings fairly amongst shippers who bundle freight flows in order to reach economies of scale in intermodal barge transport.