Shinya Hanaoka

Relief inventory modelling with stochastic lead-time and demand

The irregular demand and communication network disruption that are characteristics of situations demanding humanitarian logistics, particularly after large-scale earthquakes, present a unique challenge for relief inventory modelling. However, there are few quantitative inventory models in humanitarian logistics, and assumptions inherent in commercial logistics naturally have little applicability to humanitarian logistics. This paper develops a humanitarian disaster relief inventory model that assumes a uniformly distributed function in both lead-time and demand parameters, which is appropriate considering the limited historical data on relief operation. Furthermore, this paper presents different combinations of lead-time and demand scenarios to demonstrate the variability of the model. This is followed by the discussion of a case study wherein the decision variables are evaluated and sensitivity analysis is performed. The results reveal the presence of a unique reorder level in the inventory wherever the order quantity is insensitive to some lead-time demand values, providing valuable direction for humanitarian relief planning efforts and future research.

Environmental Impacts due to Urban Transport

Private cars, trucks and buses are the main contributors to air pollution in urban areas. This chapter presents the problems of environmental pollution caused by urban transport, including air and noise pollution in the local environment, together with global warming.

Spatio-temporal Urban Growth Modeling of Jaipur, India

Urban growth is a spatial and dynamic process that tends to increase the priority of urban planning for developing cities with a fast growing population and economy. Unplanned and illegal urban growth degrades the quality of the urban environment for city residents; therefore, adequate information and advanced technologies are required for better implementation of planning policies. The use of temporal data is indispensable for observing urban growth and for the planning of a city. The inclusion of remote sensing data is advantageous for mapping and monitoring urban growth in different periods. In this study, the urban growth of the city of Jaipur, with its spatial and temporal changes, was mapped over a period of 16 years (1989–2000 and 2000–2005) using Landsat satellite data. This study focuses on the further classification of the urban areas into different categories on the basis of density, use, and association by implementing a rule-based classification system on remotely sensed data. The Markov method, geographic information systems (GIS), and remotely sensed data were integrated to quantify urban expansion and the transition in the urban density of the different urban land use categories. Statistical tests were used to establish the importance of the Markov model for changes in land use. The results reveal that urban land development in Jaipur increased by 63 percent from 1989–2005, with an increase in density indicated by urban land-use classes, while an increase in the suburban class implied growth in the urban areas along the city periphery. The transition of land use indicates that urban areas are rapidly expanding as a result of the conversion of agricultural and barren land surrounding the city into urban areas. The scenario analysis quantified the increase in unplanned and informal urban growth in the future, which may have an impact on existing planning policies for the development of the city.

Assessment of Modal Shift and Emissions along a Freight Transport Corridor Between Laos and Thailand

ABSTRACT This study analyzes the modal shift from road to rail transport and resulting CO2 emissions along the Laem Chabang Port–Thanaleng corridor. A stated preference experiment is conducted to obtain feedback from freight forwarders, and a mode choice model is developed to estimate the freight mode share offered by the development of a dry port. A bottom-up approach is used to assess CO2 emissions from freight transport operations. The results show that in the base-case scenario, a 43% mode shift to rail from road and a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions can be expected compared with the business-as-usual scenario.

Location analysis of logistics centres in Laos

There have been many efforts to improve intermodal transport connectivity in South-East Asia. Strategic location of logistics centres can facilitate transportation, handling, storage and transshipment of goods moving in international trade. This paper considers various evaluation criteria for location analysis of logistics centres. The paper utilises the analytic hierarchy process and goal programming methodologies to analyse location of logistics centres in Laos, which aims to transform itself into a land-linked country from a land-locked country. Location models are developed based on primary data collected from public and private sector transport stakeholders. The results show similarity in final priority ranking of planned logistics centres. Also, the outcomes of both methodologies are consistent. However, some differences on the weights of the evaluation criteria were noted for the public sector, private sector and combined models. Finally, some policy considerations are offered for development of logistics centres and seamless flow of intermodal freight transport.

Optimisation model for hazardous material transport routing in Thailand

This paper introduces an optimisation model for transportation of the hazardous material (Hazmat). The focus is on application to developing countries like Thailand. The objective of the proposed Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Window (VRPTW) model for Hazmat routing is to minimise the economic and risk costs using available data and information for the case study. Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to solve the model. Results in application to the case study showed its effective performance both in economic as well as safety aspects providing a useful approach for number of companies involved in Hazmat transport activities in developing countries.

An agent-based model for resource allocation during relief distribution

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for allocating resources in various zones after a large-scale disaster. This study is motivated by the social dissatisfaction caused by inefficient relief distribution. Design/methodology/approach – This study introduces an agent-based model (ABM) framework for integrating stakeholders’ interests. The proposed model uses the TOPSIS method to create a hierarchy of demand points for qualitative and quantitative parameters. A decomposition algorithm has been proposed to solve fleet allocation. Findings – Relief distribution based on the urgency of demand points increases social benefit. A decomposition approach generates higher social benefit than the enumeration approach. The transportation cost is lower in the enumeration approach. Research limitations/implications – This study does not consider fleet contracts explicitly, but rather assumes a linear cost function for computing transportation costs. Practical implications – The outcomes of this stud...

Creating a Risk-Based Network for HazMat Logistics by Route Prioritization with AHP: - Case Study: Gasoline Logistics in Rayong, Thailand -

This article presents a model for route optimization of hazardous material (HazMat). It uses a risk-based route network for use as a risk-concern shortest-path network by using multiple criteria analysis called Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This method finds the optimum route by taking into account the risk potential for the whole network and considering road elements that are factors that contribute to accidents. Data was collected from HazMat shippers in Thailand through a questionnaire and focus groups. The article includes a description of the AHP structure and criteria, as well as a detailed description of the development of the model with the methods for route prioritization and selection. The authors conclude that due to the weighting system of their approach, the results are appropriate for complex and sensitive issues. They also note that new criteria would need to be built for other types of shipping.

Measurement of energy-saving effect by intermodal freight transport in Thailand

In Thailand, transport sector is the largest energy consuming sector (38%). Road haulage of freight transport accounts for approximately 92% of total domestic freight movements. Accordingly, it is one of the largest contributors to adverse environmental impacts. This study presents one option to reduce energy consumption through modal shift from trailer to intermodal transport involving railway and waterway. It focuses on freight movements between Bangkok and Hat Yai in Thailand. Energy savings are measured by multi-objective optimisation model using decision variables consisting of three mode options: trailer only, intermodal-rail and intermodal-waterway. In addition to energy consumption, the objective function also includes time and charge of shipment factor.

COMPARISON OF SUSTAINABILITY BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT CONSIDERING URBAN STRUCTURE

It is said that the car is convenient but consumes high-energy per passenger, while public transport is an environmentally friendly mode but needs high cost of investment and management. However, this view does not take account of urban structure such as population size and density. For instance, higher population density would cause congestion and consequent inconvenience for car usage. This may shift demand to public transport use. On the other hand, in a lower density of urban area, public transport attracts only a small passenger demand and thereby accounts for a high-energy consumption per passenger than private cars. The urban structure therefore can be the dominant factor for determining the effectiveness of urban transport. The urban structure is affected by the provision of transport infrastructure and its service level. In classical urban economic models, the location of agents and urban shape vary depending on the transport conditions. Therefore, the urban structure and transport effectiveness are inter-dependent. Even if the population size and density is the same, the efficiencies of private and public transport might be different due to the urban structure because of their historical pattern of land use and transport development. In this paper, we present the interaction between urban structure and transport using a simple urban-transport model. We also examine the sustain ability, measured by economic efficiency and environmental impact, of private and public transport in a hypothetical urban space. In this regard, it is specially focused on the path dependence of urban-transport interactions, and showed the possibility of multiple urban and transport situations. Several policy implications are proposed for utilizing the results of the models.