Transport Logistics Modelling spring 2024

Date:

6 March, 20 March, 3 April, 17 April 2024

Time:

10.00 – 16.00 h.

Location:

Utrecht

Lecturer:

Prof. Lorant Tavasszy (TU Delft) & Prof. Rob Zuidwijk (EUR)

Days:

ECTS:

1 (participating only) – 4 (participating + passing the assignment)

Course fee:

Free for TRAIL/BETA/ERIM/OML members, others please contact the TRAIL office

Registration:

Course is closed.

Objectives:

The objective of this course is to provide an advanced understanding of freight transport demand and supply models at the micro (company/chain) and macro (city/region/country/world) level.

Course description:

We discuss the development and application of freight transport system models, in particular for predicting future freight transport demand, designing freight transport networks and supporting planning and execution of freight transport operations in supply chains. The focus is on an overview of modelling methods and its applications, and less on mathematical proofs, solution techniques for optimization, or coding of models. We use a bi-level overarching modelling framework that includes normative and descriptive models and discuss underlying partial models with various practical problem cases. The course mainly uses examples from intermodal and synchromodal transportation. An assignment is included to help internalize the basic models.

Assignment:

The assignment will consist of two parts. The first part will be discussed and handed out on Day 1 and is due on Day 2. The second part will be discussed and handed out on Day 3, and is due on Day 4.

Program:

Day 1 – 6 March

Lecturer: Rob Zuidwijk

Introduction of overall framework. Positioning of network design problems in the overall modelling framework. Optimization models for intermodal and Synchromodal transportation networks. Topics on collaboration and information exchange in freight transportation. Introduction to assignment pt 1.

Day 2 – 20 March

Lecturer: Rob Zuidwijk

Presentation and discussion of assignments and cases on intermodal and Synchromodal freight transport.

Day 3 – 3 April

Lecturer: Lori Tavasszy

Introduction to descriptive freight (demand) models for generation, distribution, logistics and transport choices. Overview of models and data in practice about global, continental, national, urban systems and networks. Introduction to assignment pt 2.

Day 4 – 17 April April

Lecturer: Lori Tavasszy

Presentation and discussion of assignments. Serious game about collaboration in synchromodal transport networks, feeding a discussion about descriptive and normative models.

Literature:

Methodology:

Operations research (optimization) models for service network design are introduced as well as transport demand models which include choice models, regression models for freight (trip) generation, I/O models and gravity models for trade. Case studies are presented of concrete freight systems in the Netherlands and beyond. Assignments involve exercises with the presented models for small cases with a minimal amount of coding, focused on obtaining insights into main mechanisms. Serious gaming is used on Day 4 to help close the loop and revisit the broader framework presented on Day 1.

Course material:

Scientific papers and book chapters:

Teodor Gabriel Crainic, Kap Hwan Kim (2007). Intermodal Transportation, In: Cynthia Barnhart and Gilbert Laporte, Editor(s), Handbooks in Operations Research and Management Science, Elsevier, Volume 14: 467-537. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927050706140086
Rob Zuidwijk and Albert Veenstra (2015). The Value of Information in Container Transport. Transportation Science 49(2): 675-685. http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2014.0518
Panagiotis Ypsilantis, Rob Zuidwijk (2019). Collaborative Fleet Deployment and Routing for Sustainable Transport. Sustainability 11(20): 5666. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11205666

Anirudh Kishore Bhoopalam, Niels Agatz, Rob Zuidwijk (2018). Planning of truck platoons: A literature review and directions for future research. Transportation Research Part B 107: 212-228 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2017.10.016

Lorant Tavasszy, Gerard de Jong (eds.), Modelling Freight Transport, Elsevier, 2013:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780124104006/modelling-freight-transport

- - Chapter 1 Introduction to Freight Modelling
  - Chapter 2 Modelling Inter-Regional Freight Demand
  - Chapter 4 Models of Distribution Structures
  - Chapter 5 Inventory Theory and Freight Transport Modelling
  - Chapter 6 Mode Choice Models
  - Chapter 8 Urban Freight Models
  - Chapter 11 Comprehensive Versus Simplified Models

Tavasszy, L.A. “Predicting the effects of logistics innovations on freight systems: Directions for research.” Transport Policy 86 (2020): A1-A6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2019.11.004

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X19304688

Khakdaman, M. (2021). On the Demand for Flexible and Responsive Freight Transportation Services, PhD Thesis TU Delft https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:49212445-a434-447f-95cc-bedd2167a0fd
Zhang, Y. (2023). Flexible, Dynamic, and Collaborative Synchromodal Transport Planning Considering Preferences, https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:ab712847-e788-4e13-8680-6049ac234c4c

Prerequiste:

Basic understanding of mathematical modelling notions (statistics, econometrics, operations research) at university level. Please consult lecturers when in doubt.

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