Performance assessment for intermodal chains

Abstract

The reasons for choosing or promoting a certain way of transporting goods are dependent on a multitude of factors. Shippers will be interested in reliable logistics and low cost, while authorities are in general more concerned with relieving congestion and minimizing the environmental impact of transport in general, while accident-free transport is in the interest of all parties involved. Historically, many analysis methods have been developed that include one or more of the above factors, both for transport and non-transport purposes. For the European funded 6th framework project CREATING however, aims to achieve an integrated approach to the assessment of transport, focused on intermodal chains at a micro level, which required highly specific input data which was not readily available from literature. In order to solve this, the authors have joined forces: Delft University developed a model that determines transport cost and emissions related to intermodal transport chains, based on the technical and operational aspects of the transport means utilized, while Budapest University developed a method to measure logistic performance of specific transport chains and the University of Liège developed a multi-criteria decision aiding model that can translate values obtained into a single performance indicator. The approach developed by the authors is demonstrated by means of one of the cases under evaluation in the CREATING project.