A multimodal material route planning problem considering key processes at work zones

Area of Science:

• Operations Research
• Logistics Management
• Engineering Management

Background:

• Large-scale engineering projects necessitate efficient logistics solutions.
• Engineering logistics and multimodal transportation are complex fields with limited integrated research.
• Real-world applications require realistic transport solutions considering work zone processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the multimodal material route planning problem (MMRPP) in engineering logistics.
• To develop a multi-objective model minimizing total transport cost and time.
• To enhance the realism and applicability of transport solutions for engineering projects.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a multi-objective multimodal transport route planning model.
• Integrated key work zone processes into the planning model.
• Utilized the ε-constraint method to obtain Pareto optimal solutions.

Main Results:

• The model provides more time-efficient and less time-consuming route planning.
• Incorporating work zone processes leads to more realistic solutions.
• The ε-constraint method yields more reliable results than traditional approaches.

Conclusions:

• The developed model effectively optimizes multimodal transport routes for engineering logistics.
• The integration of work zone processes enhances the practical utility of the solution.
• The ε-constraint method offers a superior approach for multi-objective decision-making in logistics planning.