Abstract (EN):
The rail freight network optimization model presented in this paper was developed as a
support tool for planning and policy decisions involved in the improvement of rail networks on
a regional and national level. It is based on a strategic traffic assignment model designed to
model macro networks with a high aggregation level, being exclusively designed for freight
traffic. The model contemplates road and rail transport modes, and considers two different
types of cargo: intermodal cargo, which is generally transported in containers and is easily
interchanged between different modes at intermodal terminals; and general cargo, which
represents all the remaining cargo. The optimization process is based on a local search
heuristic which delivers good solutions in a reasonable computing time, with the quality of
each network improvement solution being assessed based on the reduction of the total
generalized costs and CO2 emissions. This freight network optimization model is innovative
in the fact that it is not limited, allowing for both the improvement of existing links as well as
the construction of new ones, and not having a limit on the number or variety of network
improvement possibilities. Its adaptability to different conditions is emphasized when the
model is applied to a network under two different investment scenarios, by delivering
considerably different solutions adapted to the conditions of each scenario.
Keywords: network optimization, freight transport, traffic assignment.
Idioma:
Inglês
Tipo (Avaliação Docente):
Científica
Nº de páginas:
16