A strategic model of port-hinterland freight distribution networks

•We propose a new descriptive model for port-hinterland distribution networks.•The model estimates distribution structures from ports to hinterland destinations.•Distribution of firm’s preferences towards cost and service level is considered.•Performance measures based on port-hinterland distributio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transportation research. Part E, Logistics and transportation review Logistics and transportation review, 2016-11, Vol.95, p.368-384
Main Authors: Halim, Ronald A., Kwakkel, Jan H., Tavasszy, Lóránt A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assignment problem
Calibration
Decision making models
Distribution centers
Distribution management
Distribution network
Facility location model
Freight
Freight model
Logistics
Multiple objective analysis
Network flow problem
Networks
Optimization
Policy analysis
Port connectivity
Port-hinterland network
Ports
Studies
Transport
Transportation
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Summary:•We propose a new descriptive model for port-hinterland distribution networks.•The model estimates distribution structures from ports to hinterland destinations.•Distribution of firm’s preferences towards cost and service level is considered.•Performance measures based on port-hinterland distribution structures are proposed.•The model produces port-hinterland transport costs and time for measuring connectivity. This paper presents a strategic model for port-hinterland freight distribution networks. The approach utilizes a combination of a multi-objective optimization model to estimate locations and networks of distribution centers and an assignment model that recognizes distributed service level preferences. Our example application concerns the European continent and is transferable to other regions. The model calibration is able to explain the European port-hinterland distribution structures satisfactorily. We compute novel performance measures that take into account port-hinterland distribution structures. The measures include port-hinterland transport cost, port-hinterland transport time, and distribution center-hinterland transport time. These measures can provide inputs for port-connectivity studies.
ISSN:1366-5545
1878-5794
DOI:10.1016/j.tre.2016.05.014