Wei, X., Wang, M., & Meng, Q. (2024). Vulnerability Assessment and Reduction for Intermodal Freight Transportation Networks. Reliability Engineering System Safety, 245, 109969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2024.109969
Abstract:
Intermodal freight transportation networks (IFTNs) are critical for global logistics, facilitating the efficient transportation of cargo within containers by integrating diverse transportation modes. However, such integration exposes IFTNs to a variety of disruptions, may leading to degradation in transportation capabilities. Thus, vulnerability assessment and reduction (VA&R) for IFTNs are of practical significance. Despite its importance, this research problem has received little attention in the literature. To fill the research gap, we propose the VA&R problem for IFTNs, considering uncertain disruptions that impact IFTN nodes and links, along with cascading failures and influence spreading. We further build models incorporating two-stage robust optimization to assess and reduce the impact of uncertain disruptions, and build exact solution methods for VA&R utilizing column-and-constraint generation and speedup strategies to identify non-conservative solutions. The effectiveness and efficiency of our modeling and solution methods are demonstrated by comparing them to benchmark modeling and solution methods, through numerical experiments for a real-world international IFTN. Furthermore, managerial insights and recommendations for IFTN operations are achieved based on comprehensive sensitivity analyses to address uncertain disruptions in IFTNs.
License type:
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the Singapore Maritime Institute - Analysis of intermodal container transport network in the context of Chongqing Connectivity Initiative - International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (CCI-ILSTC) and China - Singapore / ASEAN region
Grant Reference no. : SMI-2020-MA-05