An efficient heuristic for multi-objective train load planning: a parameter sensitivity analysis

Abstract

Intermodal transportation is evolving towards a synchromodal system with real-time switching, in which most assignment decisions are postponed until the final planning phase. In such environment, it is important to assist train planners by providing decision support in the operational environment in which they operate. One important task for train planners concerns train load planning, which is concerned with the assignment of load units to the available slots on a train. In this paper, a sensitivity analysis of the parameters of a multi-objective heuristic algorithm for train load planning is presented, which accounts for different aspects of train capacity utilization. The tuned heuristic algorithm provides a number of load plans from which planners can choose the most relevant plan for the specific circumstances they are operating in at that moment.