Dries Meers

Location Analysis Model for Belgian Intermodal Terminals: Importance of the value of time in the intermodal transport chain

Intermodal transport, the combination and integration of several transport modes, with the use of loading units, is in most cases more environmentally friendly than unimodal road transport for the carriage of goods. The LAMBIT-model (Location Analysis Model for Belgian Intermodal Terminals) has been developed to analyse the market areas of existing and potential intermodal terminals. In the LAMBIT model, barge/road and rail/road intermodal chains can be compared to unimodal road transport within Belgium. In this paper we show how to include, next to market prices, the value of time in the model and how to integrate other factors influencing the cost structure, such as the possibility to use the terminal as an empty depot and implications of the so-called backhaul problem and the distance of the post-haulage section. Different scenarios will be evaluated and compared to the reference scenario.

Intermodal Break-Even Distances: A Fetish of 300 Kilometres?

Originality/value This chapter challenges the current European policy on intermodal transport by showing the price competitiveness of intermodal transport in two cases.

An indicator approach to sustainable urban freight transport

Abstract Several indicators have been established to monitor and evaluate the sustainability of cities. Logistics and related transportation activities are underrepresented in these established frameworks despite the substantial negative impact of urban freight transport (UFT) on the environment, society and economy. The result is the lack of an understanding of freight flows’ impact on the liveability of cities. This paper fills this gap by introducing a comprehensive set of freight transport related indicators with an operational target in policy support and urban planning. It provides a discussion of its hierarchical design and 45 indicators. Using this indicator set, local authorities can assess and enhance UFT sustainability.

Analysis of Cost Allocation Techniques for Freight Bundling Networks in Intermodal Transport

In order to improve the competitive position and efficiency level of intermodal transport, consolidation of freight flows is often suggested. Bundling networks require cooperation between multiple partners in the intermodal transport chain. In this context, the question rises how benefits may be allocated fairly among the participants in the cooperation. 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. Moreover, since various types of vessels with differing price structures may be considered in intermodal barge transport, the application of allocation mechanisms is not so straightforward compared to a unimodal environment. The main contribution of this paper 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. By applying three different allocation methods, a comparison is made between simple and straightforward allocation mechanisms and more advanced techniques based on cooperative game theory. Special attention is also paid to the stability of the found solutions. The situation of three-, four- and five-partner coalitions is investigated, both for partners with an equal and an unequal amount of shipments. For these six situations, the case of a common barge trajectory and a common end terminal are studied.

Transferia: solving local pain or bringing global gain?

ABSTRACT The sustainability of container transferia, a specific type of intermodal terminals located in the vicinity of ports, is analysed in an external cost evaluation. This concept enables transporting large amounts of containers from a port to a transferium, outside the most congested area, by high-frequency barge or rail transport. From this point onwards, the transport is executed by truck or intermodal. The paper presents a case study of maritime-based container transport in Belgium. A geographic information systems-based model compares transport alternatives, regarding their societal impact. The findings suggest that when trucks perform the hinterland transport to transferia instead of direct truck transport to the port, the production of external costs decreases in the port area, but remains stable in the hinterland. However, when intermodal chains can replace these truck services to the transferia, external costs remain limited in the port area, but also decrease in the hinterland in most cases.