Review of optimisation applications in rail freight logistics with a view to identify possible applications in the Southern African region

Logistics is one of the most important and critical economic drivers which determines the rate at which goods can be exported at the lowest cost. The paper reviewed Southern Africa rail freight infrastructure and planning activities. It interrogated the academic and research institutes activities as related to rail freight. A review of one of the biggest freight company Transnet was done to highlight extent of application. The paper concludes by highlighting potential and the gaps in optimisation within Southern Africa rail freight, which can be addressed using operations research techniques such as ant colony and genetic algorithms with a view to inform decision making