DOI: 10.14457/tu.the.2020.70
title: Multi objectives optimization model for multimodal coal logistics and transportation network

description: Freight transportation is an integral supply chain element for providing timely availability and the effective movement of raw materials and finished goods. Due to trade globalization, a traditional truck mode is no longer an all-time feasible solution. Beside the road congestion, traffic congestion and environmental issues are concerned on the agenda. Consequently, the EU transport policy aims to reduce road transport to less polluting and more energy efficient modes of transport. Multimodal transportation is currently a key element of modern transportation systems. Nonetheless, when focusing on the multimodal freight transportation systems, many problems are identified. Since multimodal transportation comprised of many factors and interactions among the different modes can be quite complex. Route selection strategy has become the main aspect in the multimodal transportation network design project. The transport cost and time as well as the inherent risks must be considered when determining a corrective design plan. The selection of a multimodal transportation network route is a complex multi-objective decision problem in terms of multiple conflicting criteria, vague and inaccurate parameters. Furthermore, the uncertainty and imprecision of decision-makers are a significant characteristic of the problem. Considering the impact factors, the transport cost, time and a comprehensive risk assessment model were further created. This research develops a decision support framework using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool that includes a five-phase framework. The first phase is to define the scope of study and collect the data of each route. The second phase is to calculate transportation cost and time of each route based on realistic test data. The third phase contributes an integrated quantitative risk analysis, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology to evaluate the multimodal transportation risks. The fourth phase is to determine the weights of each factor which relies on decisions based on expert judgments. The significant weight of criteria obtained from FAHP can be integrated a multi-objective optimization. Finally, Zero-one Goal Programming (ZOGP) is used to generate the optimal multimodal transportation route. The approach is illustrated on actual multimodal coal transportation routes in Thailand. To validate the model and result, sensitivity analysis is carried out on each of the MCDM methods that are studied. It enables to provide a more accurate, practical and systematic decision support tool. The contribution of this research lies in the development of a valid decision support approach that is flexible and applicable to the users in selecting a multimodal transportation route by minimizing cost, time and risk factors involved with multimodal transportation. The methodology can provide a guidance for effectively determining the multimodal transportation routes to improve performance of logistics systems. The results have shown that the approach can guide for determining the optimal route subject to the aforementioned attributes.