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Static and Dynamic Time-Space Strategic Models and Algorithms for Multilevel Rail-Car Fleet Management

Author

Listed:
  • Hanif D. Sherali

    (Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0118)

  • Cihan H. Tuncbilek

    (Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0118)

Abstract

This paper deals with the design of dynamic time-space and calibrated static strategic planning models, along with solution algorithms, for the multilevel rail-car fleet management problem faced by RELOAD ® , a branch of the Association of American Railroads (AAR). We discuss a prevalent fleet sizing management model that is static in nature, and propose an alternative dynamic model based on a time-space network representation. This model accurately represents the problem, and also provides information regarding the issue of storing and retrieving empty cars. A suitable decomposition heuristic, that is based on solving subproblems defined for overlapping time segments, is developed to solve this model. This heuristic is shown to recover an optimal solution for all the test problems with a reasonable effort. We also investigate a procedure for calibrating the static model based on this improved time-space representation. Our results show that for the static model, a calibrated use of available data can yield near-optimal total fleet size requirements. This enables the use of such a simple, calibrated static model for accurately conducting fleet sizing, the determination of fleet size allocations among railroads, as well as for analyzing various "what-if" scenarios. The proposed methodology is being currently implemented at the AAR, and the status of this process as well as some test results are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanif D. Sherali & Cihan H. Tuncbilek, 1997. "Static and Dynamic Time-Space Strategic Models and Algorithms for Multilevel Rail-Car Fleet Management," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 43(2), pages 235-250, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:43:y:1997:i:2:p:235-250
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.43.2.235
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hamid Sayarshad & Nikbakhsh Javadian & Reza Tavakkoli-Moghaddam & Nastaran Forghani, 2010. "Solving multi-objective optimization formulation for fleet planning in a railway industry," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 181(1), pages 185-197, December.
    2. Bojovic, Nebojsa J., 2002. "A general system theory approach to rail freight car fleet sizing," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(1), pages 136-172, January.
    3. Peiling Wu & Joseph C. Hartman & George R. Wilson, 2005. "An Integrated Model and Solution Approach for Fleet Sizing with Heterogeneous Assets," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 39(1), pages 87-103, February.
    4. Mostafa Bababeik & Mohammad Mahdi Nasiri & Navid Khademi & Anthony Chen, 2019. "Vulnerability evaluation of freight railway networks using a heuristic routing and scheduling optimization model," Transportation, Springer, vol. 46(4), pages 1143-1170, August.
    5. Hanif D. Sherali & Lawrence W. Maguire, 2000. "Determining Rail Fleet Sizes for Shipping Automobiles," Interfaces, INFORMS, vol. 30(6), pages 80-90, December.
    6. Lawley, Mark & Parmeshwaran, Vijay & Richard, Jean-Philippe & Turkcan, Ayten & Dalal, Malay & Ramcharan, David, 2008. "A time-space scheduling model for optimizing recurring bulk railcar deliveries," Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, Elsevier, vol. 42(5), pages 438-454, June.
    7. Sun, Yanshuo & Kirtonia, Sajeeb & Chen, Zhi-Long, 2021. "A survey of finished vehicle distribution and related problems from an optimization perspective," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    8. Oliveira, Beatriz Brito & Carravilla, Maria Antónia & Oliveira, José Fernando & Toledo, Franklina M.B., 2014. "A relax-and-fix-based algorithm for the vehicle-reservation assignment problem in a car rental company," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 237(2), pages 729-737.
    9. José Carbajal & Alan Erera & Martin Savelsbergh, 2013. "Balancing fleet size and repositioning costs in LTL trucking," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 203(1), pages 235-254, March.
    10. Jeffery L. Kennington & Charles D. Nicholson, 2010. "The Uncapacitated Time-Space Fixed-Charge Network Flow Problem: An Empirical Investigation of Procedures for Arc Capacity Assignment," INFORMS Journal on Computing, INFORMS, vol. 22(2), pages 326-337, May.
    11. Felix Papier & Ulrich W. Thonemann, 2008. "Queuing Models for Sizing and Structuring Rental Fleets," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 42(3), pages 302-317, August.

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