Optimization of chassis reallocation in doublestack container transportation system

PDFDissertationMBTC1021Container handlingLogisticsIntermodal transferIntermodal servicesComputer modelsDecision support systemsCost effectivenessMack-Blackwell National Rural Transportation Study Center (U.S.)Justice, Ernest DavidNTL-FREIGHT-FREIGHTNTL-FREIGHT-IntermodalismNTL-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMSUS Transportation CollectionCost efficiencies associated with double stacking truck containers on flatbed railcars have motivated carriers to increase their involvement in intermodal freight transportation. However, container-on-flatcar (COFC) service in rail-truck environments requires maintenance of a separate chassis fleet for highway transport. Containers arriving at intermodal terminals (ramps) must be loaded on available highway chassis in order to be moved by truck. Conversely, containers must be detached from truck and chassis to be loaded on departing trains. The nature of normal business activity does not guarantee that a sufficient pool of chassis will remain at all ramps due to variation in container loadings. Ramps that have more arrivals than departures over time can deplete a supply of chassis unless some action is taken to redistribute chassis on a timely basis. This research has led to the development of a transportation model to assist in chassis reallocation decisions. Information regarding intermodal train schedules, chassis and container locations, and chassis transport costs are included as inputs to the model, which optimizes the given problem with a minimum cost objective. Model output is a suggested chassis redistribution for a given time period. The development of a software implementation of the model for use on IBM compatible personal computers is presented with an objective of assisting with chassis reallocation on a continuing basis. The correctness of the software is verified before characterizing the associated computing resource requirements. The utility of the software is demonstrated in designed experiments and the incorporation of the software into industrial operating environments is discussed. 147p