IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transa/v42y2008i7p973-993.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Distance and time in intermodal goods transport networks in Europe: A generic approach

Author

Listed:
  • Kreutzberger, Ekki D.

Abstract

This paper is about distance and time as factors of competitiveness of intermodal transport. It reviews the relevance of the factors, evaluates time models in practice, compares network distances and times in alternative bundling networks with geometrically varied layouts, and points out how these networks perform in terms of vehicle scale, frequency and door-to-door time. The analysis focuses on intermodal transport in Europe, especially intermodal rail transport, but is in search for generic conclusions. The paper does not incorporate the distance and time results in cost models, and draws conclusions for transport innovation, wherever this is possible without cost modelling. For instance, the feature vehicle scale, an important factor of transport costs, is analysed and discussed. Distance and time are important factors of competitiveness of intermodal transport. They generate (direct) vehicle costs and - via transport quality - indirect costs to the customers. Clearly direct costs/prices are the most important performance of the intermodal transport system. The relevance of quality performances is less clarified. Customers emphasise the importance of a good match between the transport and the logistic system. In this framework (time) reliability is valued high. Often transport time, arrival and departure times, and frequency have a lower priority. But such conclusions can hardy be generalised. The range of valuations reflects the heterogeneity of situations. Some lack of clarity is obviously due to overlapping definitions of different performance types. The following parts of the paper are about two central fields of network design, which have a large impact on transport costs and quality, namely the design of vehicle roundtrips (and acceleration of transport speed) and the choice of bundling type: do vehicles provide direct services or run in what we call complex bundling networks? An example is the hub-and-spoke network. The objective of complex bundling is to increase vehicle scale and/or transport frequency even if network volumes are restricted. Complex bundling requires intermediate nodes for the exchange of load units. Examples of complex bundling networks are the hub-and-spoke network or the line network. Roundtrip and bundling design are interrelated policy fields: an acceleration of the roundtrip speed, often desirable from the cost point of view, can often only be carried out customer friendly, if the transport frequency is increased. But often the flow size is not sufficient for a higher frequency. Then a change of bundling model can be an outcome. Complex bundling networks are known to have longer average distances and times, the latter also due to the presence of additional intermediate exchange nodes. However, this disadvantage is - inside the limits of maximal vehicle sizes - overruled by the advantage of a restricted number of network links. Therefore generally, complex bundling networks have shorter total vehicle distances and times. This expression of economies of scale implies lower vehicle costs per load unit. The last part of the paper presents door-to-door times of load units of complex bundling networks and compares them with unimodal road transport. The times of complex bundling networks are larger than that of networks with direct connections, but nevertheless competitive with unimodal road transport, except for short distances.

Suggested Citation

  • Kreutzberger, Ekki D., 2008. "Distance and time in intermodal goods transport networks in Europe: A generic approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 42(7), pages 973-993, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:42:y:2008:i:7:p:973-993
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965-8564(08)00037-2
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sergio R. Jara-Díaz & Cristián Cortés & Freddy Ponce, 2001. "Number of Points Served and Economies of Spatial Scope in Transport Cost Functions," Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, University of Bath, vol. 35(2), pages 327-341, May.
    2. Campbell, James F., 1994. "Integer programming formulations of discrete hub location problems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 72(2), pages 387-405, January.
    3. Michel Beuthe & Christophe Bouffioux & Jan De Maeyer, 2003. "A multicriteria analysis of stated preferences among freight transport alternatives," ERSA conference papers ersa03p173, European Regional Science Association.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Chang Liu & Boliang Lin & Jiaxi Wang & Jie Xiao & Siqi Liu & Jianping Wu & Jian Li, 2017. "Flow assignment model for quantitative analysis of diverting bulk freight from road to railway," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Dan Liu & Zhenghong Deng & Qipeng Sun & Yong Wang & Yinhai Wang, 2019. "Design and Freight Corridor-Fleet Size Choice in Collaborative Intermodal Transportation Network Considering Economies of Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, February.
    3. Zhang, M. & Janic, M. & Tavasszy, L.A., 2015. "A freight transport optimization model for integrated network, service, and policy design," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 61-76.
    4. Chen, Shaopei & Claramunt, Christophe & Ray, Cyril, 2014. "A spatio-temporal modelling approach for the study of the connectivity and accessibility of the Guangzhou metropolitan network," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 12-23.
    5. Hamid Saeedi & Bart Wiegmans & Behzad Behdani, 2021. "Measuring concentration in transhipment markets: methodologies and application to a European case," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 23(3), pages 548-568, September.
    6. Nam Seok Kim & Byungkyu Park & Kang-Dae Lee, 2016. "A knowledge based freight management decision support system incorporating economies of scale: multimodal minimum cost flow optimization approach," Information Technology and Management, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 81-94, March.
    7. Egger, Peter H. & Loumeau, Gabriel & Loumeau, Nicole, 2023. "China's dazzling transport-infrastructure growth: Measurement and effects," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    8. Ma, Lin & Tang, Yang, 2024. "The distributional impacts of transportation networks in China," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    9. Barilla, David & Carlucci, Fabio & Cirà, Andrea & Ioppolo, Giuseppe & Siviero, Lucio, 2020. "Total factor logistics productivity: A spatial approach to the Italian regions," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 205-222.
    10. Sina Mohri, Seyed & Thompson, Russell, 2022. "Designing sustainable intermodal freight transportation networks using a controlled rail tariff discounting policy – The Iranian case," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 59-77.
    11. Saeedi, Hamid & Wiegmans, Bart & Behdani, Behzad & Zuidwijk, Rob, 2017. "European intermodal freight transport network: Market structure analysis," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 141-154.
    12. Deng, Yue & Wang, Jiaxin & Gao, Chao & Li, Xianghua & Wang, Zhen & Li, Xuelong, 2021. "Assessing temporal–spatial characteristics of urban travel behaviors from multiday smart-card data," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 576(C).
    13. Marta Gonzalez-Aregall & Kevin Cullinane & Inge Vierth, 2021. "A Review of Port Initiatives to Promote Freight Modal Shifts in Europe: Evidence from Port Governance Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, May.
    14. Jason Monios & Gordon Wilmsmeier, 2014. "The Impact of Container Type Diversification on Regional British Port Development Strategies," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(5), pages 583-606, September.
    15. Rich, J. & Kveiborg, O. & Hansen, C.O., 2011. "On structural inelasticity of modal substitution in freight transport," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 134-146.
    16. El Yaagoubi, Amina & Ferjani, Aicha & Essaghir, Yasmina & Sheikhahmadi, Farrokh & Abourraja, Mohamed Nezar & Boukachour, Jaouad & Baron, Marie-Laure & Duvallet, Claude & Khodadad-Saryazdi, Ali, 2022. "A logistic model for a french intermodal rail/road freight transportation system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    17. Wang, Wei & Cai, Kaiquan & Du, Wenbo & Wu, Xin & Tong, Lu (Carol) & Zhu, Xi & Cao, Xianbin, 2020. "Analysis of the Chinese railway system as a complex network," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    18. Kim, Nam Seok & Van Wee, Bert, 2011. "The relative importance of factors that influence the break-even distance of intermodal freight transport systems," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 859-875.
    19. Wang, Jiaoe & Jin, Fengjun & Mo, Huihui & Wang, Fahui, 2009. "Spatiotemporal evolution of China's railway network in the 20th century: An accessibility approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 43(8), pages 765-778, October.
    20. Behrends, Sönke, 2017. "Burden or opportunity for modal shift? – Embracing the urban dimension of intermodal road-rail transport," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 10-16.
    21. Chen, Hong & Cullinane, Kevin & Liu, Nan, 2017. "Developing a model for measuring the resilience of a port-hinterland container transportation network," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 282-301.
    22. Kawasaki, Tomoya & Loh, Zhan Teng & Hanaoka, Shinya, 2023. "Geospatial transition of port hinterland considering intermodal service frequency: A case study in Bangladesh," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    23. Tapiador, Francisco J. & Burckhart, Kerstin & Martí-Henneberg, Jordi, 2009. "Characterizing European high speed train stations using intermodal time and entropy metrics," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 197-208, February.
    24. Meisel, Frank & Kirschstein, Thomas & Bierwirth, Christian, 2013. "Integrated production and intermodal transportation planning in large scale production–distribution-networks," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 62-78.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Marianov, Vladimir & Serra, Daniel & ReVelle, Charles, 1999. "Location of hubs in a competitive environment," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 114(2), pages 363-371, April.
    2. Canovas, Lazaro & Garcia, Sergio & Marin, Alfredo, 2007. "Solving the uncapacitated multiple allocation hub location problem by means of a dual-ascent technique," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(3), pages 990-1007, June.
    3. James F. Campbell & Morton E. O'Kelly, 2012. "Twenty-Five Years of Hub Location Research," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 46(2), pages 153-169, May.
    4. Dhyani, Sneha & Jayaswal, Sachin & Sinha, Ankur & Vidyarthi, Navneet, 2019. "Alternate Second Order Conic Programming Reformulations for Hub Location with Capacity Selection under Demand," IIMA Working Papers WP 2018-12-04, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
    5. Elisangela Martins de Sá & Ivan Contreras & Jean-François Cordeau & Ricardo Saraiva de Camargo & Gilberto de Miranda, 2015. "The Hub Line Location Problem," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(3), pages 500-518, August.
    6. He, Yan & Wu, Tao & Zhang, Canrong & Liang, Zhe, 2015. "An improved MIP heuristic for the intermodal hub location problem," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 57(PB), pages 203-211.
    7. Harmsen - van Hout, Marjolein J.W. & Herings, P. Jean-Jacques & Dellaert, Benedict G.C., 2013. "Communication network formation with link specificity and value transferability," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 229(1), pages 199-211.
    8. Alumur, Sibel A. & Yaman, Hande & Kara, Bahar Y., 2012. "Hierarchical multimodal hub location problem with time-definite deliveries," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(6), pages 1107-1120.
    9. C S Sung & S H Song, 2003. "Integrated service network design for a cross-docking supply chain network," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 54(12), pages 1283-1295, December.
    10. A. T. Ernst & M. Krishnamoorthy, 1998. "An Exact Solution Approach Based on Shortest-Paths for p -Hub Median Problems," INFORMS Journal on Computing, INFORMS, vol. 10(2), pages 149-162, May.
    11. Pardis Pourmohammadi & Reza Tavakkoli-Moghaddam & Yaser Rahimi & Chefi Triki, 2023. "Solving a hub location-routing problem with a queue system under social responsibility by a fuzzy meta-heuristic algorithm," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 324(1), pages 1099-1128, May.
    12. Tiwari, Richa & Jayaswal, Sachin & Sinha, Ankur, 2021. "Alternate solution approaches for competitive hub location problems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 290(1), pages 68-80.
    13. Ricardo Saraiva de Camargo & Gilberto de Miranda & Henrique Pacca L. Luna, 2009. "Benders Decomposition for Hub Location Problems with Economies of Scale," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 43(1), pages 86-97, February.
    14. S Alumur & B Y Kara, 2009. "A hub covering network design problem for cargo applications in Turkey," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 60(10), pages 1349-1359, October.
    15. Alumur, Sibel A. & Kara, Bahar Y. & Karasan, Oya E., 2012. "Multimodal hub location and hub network design," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 40(6), pages 927-939.
    16. C S Sung & W Yang, 2008. "An exact algorithm for a cross-docking supply chain network design problem," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 59(1), pages 119-136, January.
    17. Zühal Kartal & Mohan Krishnamoorthy & Andreas T. Ernst, 2019. "Heuristic algorithms for the single allocation p-hub center problem with routing considerations," OR Spectrum: Quantitative Approaches in Management, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research e.V., vol. 41(1), pages 99-145, March.
    18. Peker, Meltem & Kara, Bahar Y., 2015. "The P-Hub maximal covering problem and extensions for gradual decay functions," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 158-172.
    19. Jayaswal, Sachin & Vidyarthi, Navneet, 2013. "Capacitated Multiple Allocation Hub Location with Service Level Constraints for Multiple Consignment Classes," IIMA Working Papers WP2013-11-02, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
    20. Yaman, Hande & Kara, Bahar Y. & Tansel, Barbaros Ç., 2007. "The latest arrival hub location problem for cargo delivery systems with stopovers," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 41(8), pages 906-919, October.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:42:y:2008:i:7:p:973-993. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/547/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.