Title: Modelling inland terminal locations based on transport cost optimisation

Authors: Tomislav Rožić; Kristijan Rogić; Božidar Ivanković

Addresses: Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia ' Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia ' Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract: The position of inland terminal in transportation network depends on several elements. Selection of these elements has significant influence on its final location. This paper presents the quantitative method to define the optimal location of inland terminal in a node of railway network, primarily based on transportation cost savings. The key condition of the model is that all containers that are currently transported by road are to be transported primarily by rail from the seaport to the proposed location of the inland terminal. Onward transport to the destination can occur by road, rail or inland waterway where possible. The model was validated on a real network, where the first point of entry is the Port of Rijeka (seaport) in Croatia, and the possible location of inland terminal is in the Port of Rijeka hinterland (inside the Croatian borders). The application of the model on a real network has proven its usefulness, especially in the case when there is need for additional criteria in the decision process of determining the inland terminal location.

Keywords: inland terminal location; transport cost optimisation; modelling in logistics; inland terminal.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2020.109889

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2020 Vol.12 No.5, pp.487 - 503

Accepted: 16 Apr 2019
Published online: 29 Sep 2020 *

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