World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research (10 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• 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 represented by road insecurity is recent, the idea that it is developing countries, particularly in Africa, that experience high road mortality, is older. In this context, our paper aims to propose solutions for the decision-making process on road safety in Tunisia through the study of road mortality rate perceived under two respective angles: population density and geographic unit affiliation. The modeling and analysis work will allow identifying better the respective weight of the factors associated with road mortality. Methodologically, our recourse is so the Bayesian ecological regression model to meet our cited goal. The model parameters are adjusted by Gibbs sampling. Econometrically, the hypothesis related to the influence of population density on road mortality has been proved. A new ranking of Tunisian governorates, according to their road mortality rate standardized by population size, is illustrated. The variation in road mortality risk is the highest at the delegation level but is the lowest at the district level and the governorate level, which proves the existence of other responsible factors observed at the regional level. An estimated elasticity of -0.25 at the district level means that a 10 % increase in population density can cause a decrease of 2.5 % in the occurrence of road mortality. Mapping the Bayes relative risk can assist the identification of regions that can be targeted by the national policy. Consequently, this study shows that the analysis models can provide a better overview of the road safety situation and a robust tool for decision-makers.
  Keywords: Road safety policy; Regional analysis; Road mortality; Population density; Bayesian method.
  
  
• FRACTAL MODELLING OF AN URBAN ROAD NETWORK USING GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)  
  by Kurre Sai Sahitya, CSRK Prasad 
  Abstract: Transportation network structure is the most challenging system to evaluate. Fractal modeling is an efficient method to understand the complex nature of spatial features. Fractal dimension analysis helps understand the structural pattern of road network in a city. The adoption of fractal geometry to study transport network structure in a city is essential for urban road network planning. The analysis of fractal dimension of a city using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a novel strategy for the evaluation of urban road networks. This study attempted to evaluate road network in terms of Fractal dimension using GIS with a symbolic case study of Hyderabad city, Capital of Telangana state, India. The mass-radius fractal method was adopted for quantifying fractal dimension of the road network by increasing the buffer radius. This study focusses on developing a model that explains the relationship between the number of nodes, road network length, road network density, built-up area, and fractal aspect of the road network in the city using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis. The similarity of the road network pattern at thirty different locations of Hyderabad 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 with respect to nodes, road network length, and built-up area. This research tried to explain the relevance of fractal dimension analysis in transportation planning.
  Keywords: fractal; evaluation; GIS; similarity; model.
  
  
• The emergence of intelligent transportation systems from a continental and technological perspective  
  by Ilja Bäumler, Herbert Kotzab 
  Abstract: This article explores the intertwined nature of technologies and the progress of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) research programs/initiatives in North America and in the European Countries. The first ideas for the intelligent use of existing infrastructure for road traffic were developed in the USA in the late 1960s, whereas the first ITS-related technologies were researched in the early 1960s (sensor technology). Strengthened by international networking and competitive thinking, first enormous efforts in ITS research were conducted in the late 1980s.
  Keywords: ITS; intelligent transportation system; history; technology development.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10029517
   
  
• Public-private partnerships in airports: the Turkish experience  
  by Ferhan Kuyucak Sengur 
  Abstract: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have become a prevalent method to fund transport infrastructure around the world. PPPs have emerged in airports as an alternative to public airports and complete privatisation of airports. PPPs in airports have a history of 25 years in Turkey. This paper aims to provide an up-to-date review of PPP experiences in Turkish airports. With a case study design, PPPs in Turkish airports are examined in the context of policy, legal grounds, and implementations. PPPs are the main method adopted especially in the funding and operation of new airports and/or terminals in Turkey. Besides the successes, there are also areas to be improved regarding PPP design and implementation. More transparent, comprehensive, and structured contract terms, proper risk assignment, more accurate demand forecasting, and efforts to overcome certain public interest concerns are identified as the main requirements for future policy actions.
  Keywords: airport public-private-partnerships; airport privatisation; airport management; air transportation; airport business; PPPs.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10029515
   
  
• Analysing the maritime network of the port of Algeciras Bay  
  by Iñigo L. Ansorena 
  Abstract: Algeciras Bay is located at the Gibraltar Strait, a chokepoint of the world's main sea routes. The port of Algeciras plays a key role in the western Mediterranean area and this paper aims to shed new light on its maritime network. First, we use a clustering approach (the Louvain method) to reveal well connected groups of ports. Then in the second stage, we analyse centralities to determine ports with a special position. The Algeciras network exhibits a scale-free structure (a few dominant ports with many connections and a large number of ports with few connections). We also find six groups of well-connected ports and strong correlations between centrality measures and frequency of nodes. Our findings are important not only from the perspective of shipping companies interested in the design of regular services, but also from the perspective of the port of Algeciras Bay. The Port Authority can use the outcomes of the research to strengthen cooperation with the most relevant ports in the network via twinning agreements.
  Keywords: maritime network; graph theory; centrality metrics; degree centrality; Louvain method; liner services.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10029518
   
  
• Online vehicle purchase behaviour and analytics among supply chain professionals: an exploratory study  
  by Alan D. Smith 
  Abstract: A study of 286 supply chain professionals' perception of their customer base was completed to test the present research assumption that for a wide range of products or services, the internet has been undoubtedly a significant catalyst for this change, and customers searching for and purchasing an automobile are no exception to the trend. The perceptions of these professionals are very important in spacing future policies and attitudes on logistics. In examining online purchasing of an automobile, there were 10 significant clusters in creating the independent variable constructs, which were tested against a factor-based dependent variable construct, New Vehicle Purchase Incentives. All constructs were verified through confirmatory factor analysis techniques. These were statistically tested to determine the factors that impact a consumer's decision. The exploratory factor analysis and specific hypothesis testing illustrated that the major factors for online vehicle purchases were convenience, purchase agreements, online resistance, personal security concerns, intensity of internet use, income and price, low-cost bargain searching, energy and fun shopping, access concerns, and work use and privacy.
  Keywords: automotive industry; business analytics; CRM; factor analysis; manufacturing; online automotive purchases; supply chain; uses and Gratification theory.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10029519
   
  
• Solving a routing problem of collect infectious healthcare waste with stochastic demand: case of Sfax Governorate in Tunisia  
  by Rim Daoud, Manel Kammoun, Wafik Hachicha 
  Abstract: This paper deals with a real stochastic infectious healthcare waste (IHW) collection problem. The waste was collected from all hospitals in the governorate of Sfax (Tunisia) to an incinerator. The reduction of medical infectious waste represents a challenge for Tunisia's commitments in healthcare institutions. This problem is considered as a Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem with Stochastic Demand (CVRPSD). Two combined approaches are proposed: (1) a combination of exact method with a Monte Carlo simulation, (2) a combination of the same simulation tools with Clarke and Wright (C&W) saving. These proposed approaches provide a set of solutions which help the decision-makers of the Sfax municipality to perform an adequate IHW transportation routing system. The approaches results give one common solution that appears with a high frequency using an exact method despite the stochastic character of demands. The (C&W) heuristic provides good results in a reasonable time.
  Keywords: CVRPSD; exact method; Clarke and Right saving; Monte Carlo simulation; stochastic quantities; infectious healthcare waste.
  DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2020.10029516
   
  

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

• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.