Title: Measurement of energy-saving effect by intermodal freight transport in Thailand

Authors: Shinya Hanaoka, Taqsim Husnain, Tomoya Kawasaki, Pichet Kunadhamraks

Addresses: Department of International Development Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-I4-12, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The George Washington University, 725 23rd Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20052, USA. ' Department of International Development Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-I4-12, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan. ' The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Ministry of Transport, 35 Petchaburi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Abstract: In Thailand, transport sector is the largest energy consuming sector (38%). Road haulage of freight transport accounts for approximately 92% of total domestic freight movements. Accordingly, it is one of the largest contributors to adverse environmental impacts. This study presents one option to reduce energy consumption through modal shift from trailer to intermodal transport involving railway and waterway. It focuses on freight movements between Bangkok and Hat Yai in Thailand. Energy savings are measured by multi-objective optimisation model using decision variables consisting of three mode options: trailer only, intermodal-rail and intermodal-waterway. In addition to energy consumption, the objective function also includes time and charge of shipment factor.

Keywords: intermodal transport; energy consumption; multi-objective optimisation; modelling; Thailand; freight transport; energy saving; environmental impact; railways; waterways.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2011.041716

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.320 - 337

Published online: 01 Aug 2011 *

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