World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research (9 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Quantifying rail transit investments with appropriate measures and metrics  
  by Shailesh Chandra, Ravi Mazin 
  Abstract: An evaluation is carried out to quantify measures for an on-going rail transit investment project. The project involves enhancing the connectivity between San Onofre to Pulgas in the Southern California Region. In this project, a single track is expanded into double line second track construction with a planned completion in the year 2022. The line currently serves both freight and passenger rail at present. With an investment of $30 million in the San Onofre to Pulgas Double Track Phase 2, the following percentage changes would be noted in the short term: the increase in stop-level accessibility along the route of 200%, GHG emission reduction of 1.22%, percentage ridership and boarding increase along the route of 15.8%, travel time reduction of 36%, and resource utilisation increase of 32.3%. The findings are useful for policy makers in assessing investment outcome on intercity passenger rail transportation in California.
  Keywords: transit; accessibility; mobility; service quality; investment; rail; riders; metric; measure; policy; emissions; freight; passenger; California.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10033096
   
  
• An examination of the interrelation between seaports and dry ports in developing countries: the case of Vietnam  
  by Lam Canh Nguyen, Van V. Thai, Duc Minh Nguyen, Son Canh Nguyen 
  Abstract: This research aims at exploring the interrelation between seaports and dry ports in developing countries using the case of Vietnam. Apart from secondary data analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders of the seaport-dry port system to derive insights of their interrelation patterns in the case of Vietnam. It was found that there are four patterns of seaport-dry port interrelation in the country. In the competing pattern, dry ports are developed as satellite terminals to conduct some of seaports' activities without having interrelation with seaports. In the independent pattern, dry ports are the region's load centres with no direct relationship with seaports. Thirdly, the collaborative pattern refers to the model in which seaports collaborate with specific dry ports to secure their markets. Finally, in the extended gate pattern, dry ports are developed by seaports to reach a larger and farther hinterland. Academic and managerial implications are discussed accordingly.
  Keywords: dry port; seaport; ICD; interrelation; hinterland; developing countries; Vietnam.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10033102
   
  
• Real-time information for operational disruption management in hinterland road transport  
  by Per Wide 
  Abstract: Port hinterland transport literature has previously taken mainly a port perspective of operational disruption, for example delays or congestion, and as such lacks understanding of how real-time information can contribute to management of operational disruption outside the port. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is to explore real-time information for operational disruption management in road hinterland transport. A qualitative single case study approach is adopted at a logistics service provider responsible for road hinterland transport. The findings show improvement potential in disruption management by applying real-time information. Mainly issues related to the detection of disruption are highlighted to generate insufficiencies for the operational disruption management. Furthermore, the focus of real-time information for the impact on goods flow, rather than disruptions in the surrounding environment of transport operations, was found to limit disruption management. The paper intends to contribute to the hinterland transport literature by broadening the understanding for management of operational disruption through use of real-time information.
  Keywords: hinterland transport; disruption management; real-time information; operational uncertainty; operational road freight transport.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10033095
   
  
• Fractal modelling of an urban road network using Geographical Information Systems (GIS)  
  by Kurre Sai Sahitya, C.S.R.K. Prasad 
  Abstract: Fractal dimension analysis for a transport network structure is essential for urban road network planning. The present study attempts to evaluate road network in terms of fractal dimension using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with a symbolic case study of Hyderabad city, Capital of Telangana state, India. The study implements mass-radius fractal method for quantifying fractal dimension of the road network by increasing the buffer radius. The present work also focuses on developing a model that explains the relationship between network structure and fractal aspect of the road network using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis. The similarity of the road network pattern at different locations of city is presented in this study. The results of the study showed that there is diversity in the growth and development of the road network in the city. This research tried to explain the relevance of fractal dimension analysis in transportation planning.
  Keywords: fractal; evaluation; GIS; similarity; model.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10033087
   
  
• Analysis of road mortality in digital age using Bayesian ecological model: the case of Tunisia  
  by Karim Kammoun, Aymen Ghédira, Chaker Ben Saad, Nesrine Bouhamed 
  Abstract: While awareness of the public health burden of road insecurity is recent, the idea that it is developing countries, particularly in Africa, that experience high road deaths is older. Tunisia is an example of this. In this context, our article proposes recommendations through the study of the road mortality rate in Tunisia based on population density and belonging to a geographical unit. To do so, we used the Bayesian ecological regression model whose parameters are adjusted by Gibbs sampling. The analysis shows that the variation in road mortality risk is highest at the delegation level but lowest at the district and governorate levels. An estimated elasticity of −0.25 at the district level means that a 10% increase in population density can lead to a 2.5% decrease in road deaths. Bayes Relative Risk Mapping could help identify areas with high road mortality and strengthen road safety decision making.
  Keywords: road safety policy; regional analysis; road mortality; population density; Bayesian method.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10033081
   
  

Special Issue on: VREF 2018 Integrating Urban Freight in Urban Transport Planning

• Freight villages and urban goods distribution: Perspectives of freight transport operators, experts, and policymakers from multi-criteria decision analysis  
  by Beatriz Alves Senna, Lilian Dos Santos Fontes Pereira Bracarense, Leise Kelli Oliveira, Renata Lúcia Magalhães Oliveira 
  Abstract: A freight village is an option to reduce the externalities of urban freight transport and improve the efficiency of this activity. In this sense, its location is a factor in the accomplishment of the benefits promoted by city logistics solutions. This paper evaluates the use of freight villages for urban goods distribution. We used a multi-criteria decision analysis to identify the viewpoints of stakeholders involved in this solution (carriers, experts and policymakers). We applied this method to a case study in the city of Palmas, Brazil. The results indicate that there are different perspectives on the relevance of the criteria analysed, reinforcing the need for dialogue and participation of various stakeholders in the planning of urban freight transport, to encourage logistical solutions consistent with the requirements of urban freight transport.
  Keywords: urban freight transport; urban distribution centre; freight village; freight cluster; multi-criteria decision analysis; analytic hierarchy process; stakeholders.
  
  
• E-grocery of tomorrow - Home delivery of food between profitability, customer acceptance and ecological footprint  
  by Maik Trott, Marvin Auf Der Landwehr, Christoph Von Viebahn 
  Abstract: In this article, we present simulation results on the environmental impact of stationary grocery shopping and home delivery in terms of CO2 emissions in four representative city districts in Hanover. Input parameters and comparison variables are based on a comprehensive literature review on grocery shopping behaviour, e-grocery delivery terms and framework conditions in Germany, while several usage scenarios aid in reproducing a realistic system set-up, ultimately allowing to quantify the CO2 emission reduction potential through the implementation/ amplification of e-grocery home delivery strategies. In order to assess and quantify the respective ecological impact of different grocery shopping activities, we developed a sophisticated agent-based simulation model. Depending on the individual behavioural scenario, multiple simulation runs employing centralized shipping of e-grocery orders from a food fulfilment centre into a metropolitan area like Hanover have yielded that e-grocery can cause up to 11% less CO2 emissions. Nevertheless, to be able to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in different behavioural settings, system-level innovations and more efficient delivery concepts are required.
  Keywords: E-Grocery; Home Delivery of Food; Customer Acceptance; Simulation Model; Urban Logistics; City Logistics; Urban Transportation Planning; Stationary Grocery Retail; Food Fulfilment Centre.
  
  
• Combining on-foot porters with vans for last-mile parcel deliveries: results of a study in central London  
  by Julian Allen, Maja Piecyk, Tom Cherrett, Fraser McLeod, Andy Oakey, Marzena Piotrowska, Oliver Bates, Tolga Bektas, Sarah Wise, Kostas Cheliotis, Adrian Friday 
  Abstract: Parcel delivery operations in central London currently consist of drivers using vans. Drivers travel by road, leaving their vehicle parked at the kerbside for up to 60% of the round time while making deliveries on-foot to consignees, walking up to 10 km per day. A trial was carried out in which on-foot porters using wheeled bags made parcel deliveries to consignees, supplied by van. The results of this trial and additional analysis of its wider implementation across Londons Central Activities Zone (CAZ) indicate that parcel portering could result in reductions in vehicle parking time at kerbside (of approximately 50-65%), and vehicle driving time and distance travelled (of approximately 25-35%) compared to current parcel operations. These operational outcomes would result in associated improvements in greenhouse gas emissions and local air quality, as well as reductions in the vehicle fleets required by carriers. Related planning considerations for public policy makers including the review of vehicle kerbside stopping regulations to encourage portering, the provision of land for secure storage facilities for goods to be delivered by porters, and rest break facilities for porters are identified and discussed.
  Keywords: urban freight; last-mile deliveries; on-foot porters; parcels; central London; planning; sustainability.
  
  
• Where to open maritime containers?: A decision model at the interface of maritime and urban logistics  
  by Yann Bouchery, Johan Woxenius, Rickard Bergqvist 
  Abstract: After an era of developing large-scale hinterland access for maritime containers by use of rail and inland waterways, research interest and practice has witnessed a slight shift towards port-centric logistics. The big question is where to open import containers and close and seal the ones for export goods. Is it better done in the port vicinity or should the maritime containers also be used for transport to and from the hinterland? In other words, where is the stuffing and stripping op-erations best located? Focusing on the import of goods loaded in maritime con-tainers, this article provides a model for assessing the options of locating distri-bution centres (DCs) in the vicinity of the port or in the hinterland, or using a combination of the two. The model is illustrated by a case study of import through the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden, comparing a port-centric DC with a lo-cation in Falk
  Keywords: Distribution centre; container; hinterland; port; port-centric logistics.