Evaluating the cost-emissions trade-offs of a modal shift in intermodal and synchromodal transportation planning

Abstract

Intermodal transportation planning combines road with more sustainable transportation modes to encourage a modal shift. To evaluate the impact of a modal shift on transportation cost and emissions, we propose an intermodal transportation planning model to provide transparency in the cost-emissions trade-off. The model incorporates minimum load requirements, time windows, freight consolidation, and stochastic travel times to generate alternative transportation options. It also includes order consolidation to facilitate the utilization of transportation modes that would otherwise be infeasible due to, for instance, minimum load requirements. We also propose a synchromodal planning tool to evaluate re-planning and re-consolidation options in response to disruptions. We numerically illustrate the working of our model using a representative network setting and quantify the trade-offs concerning costs and emissions by evaluating different transportation route options.