An improved technique for train load planning at intermodal rail-road terminals

摘要

This paper presents a train load planning technique for intermodal rail-road terminals. The proposed method aims at maximizing the train commercial value while respecting priority, physical, financial, and prosecution constraints (i.e., taking into account containers that prosecute their trip after the first destination). The approach consists of two phases: 1) modifying a previous approach by some of the authors, a linear integer programming problem is solved to maximize the train commercial value, keeping into account urgencies and priorities; 2) hence, a heuristics is used to take into account prosecuting containers and reduce the number of wagons to be re-handled. The technique is tested on a real case study and compared with the previous strategy proposed by some of the authors to show its effectiveness and ease of application.