Operations Research 2025
Abstract Submission

225. A network flow model for multimodal freight transport incorporating the attractiveness of public rail sidings

Invited abstract in session FA-1: Railway Optimization, stream Mobility, Transportation, and Traffic.

Friday, 8:45-10:15
Room: Audimax

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Henning Preis
Faculty of Traffic and Transportation Sciences, Chair of Railway Operations, Technische Universität Dresden
2. Daniel Haalboom
Chair of Railway Operations, TUD Dresden University of Technology
3. Uwe Höppner
Faculty of Traffic and Transportation Sciences, Chair of Railway Operations, Technische Universität Dresden
4. Nikola Bešinović
Chair of Railway Operations, Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, Technical University of Dresden

Abstract

Multimodal freight transport offers significant potential for shifting freight flows from road to rail. A key requirement for this shift is the availability of attractive access points, such as rail sidings, that facilitate the efficient transshipment of goods. The current research project “Starke Ladestelle für den Güterumschlag”, funded by the German Centre for Rail Traffic Research (DZSF), focuses on evaluating and improving public access points for rail freight.
This paper presents an extended network flow model for multimodal transport. It optimizes freight flows within a given infrastructure network using transport relations of different modes. It thus supports alternative routing decisions — with or without the use of rail freight transportation. In particular, the model incorporates attractiveness parameters of rail access points, including centrality, handling capabilities, average waiting times, service frequency, and connectivity to hub networks.
The functionality of the approach is demonstrated on realistic instances based on data from Germany’s 2030 freight transport forecast, solved using CPLEX. Initial evaluations highlight how the attractiveness of access points affects modal shift potential. Finally, the paper discusses the model's potential and identifies areas for further research within the “Starke Ladestelle für den Güterumschlag” project.

Keywords

Status: accepted

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