Service network design in intermodal barge transport

Abstract

Consolidation of freight flows is often suggested to improve the efficiency of intermodal operations. Inland terminals may cooperate with the objective to create denser freight flows and achieve economies of scale. In this paper cooperation between intermodal barge terminals in a hinterland network is analyzed from a network design perspective. A general overview of service network design in freight transport is given. A generic model is adapted to incorporate the characteristics of intermodal barge networks. The model formulation is further elaborated by means of a small-scale fictitious network.