Online Assignments of Containers to Trains Using Constraint Programming

Abstract

Abstract. In this article we are particularly interested in optimizing the assignment of containers of different sizes to wagons on a train while respecting the business constraints. We present a model of the problem based on Constraint Programming (CP) techniques.

Optimising load planning and container routing in intermodal rail transport

“…In current literature, data is produced based on real-life characteristics of load units, wagons and configurations in Italy Siri, 2014, 2015;Ambrosino et al, 2011Ambrosino et al, , 2013Ambrosino et al, , 2016Anghinolfi and Paolucci, 2014;, Germany (Bruns and Knust, 2012;Bruns et al, 2014), Australia (Corry and Kozan, 2004, 2006a,b, 2008 and the United States (Feo and González-Velarde, 1995;Upadhyay et al, 2017;Mantovani et al, 2018). As no benchmark instances are publicly available, input data is generated based on historical information about load units transported from Belgium to two locations in Northern Italy by the considered company.…”

“…include multiple objectives, but also use a single objective function with a multiplication of the commercial value -representing the load unit urgency -and the weight and length of the load units assigned to a location on the train. To our knowledge, only one paper(Ambrosino et al, 2016) applies multi-objective optimisation to the train load planning problem. Furthermore, the minimisation of unproductive moves in multilevel stacking areas is only considered in combination with problems which integrate train load planning optimisation with crane and storage planning.…”

“…Therefore, in this chapter, a multi-objective train load planning problem with real-life characteristics is presented, as well as an exact solution approach to solve the problem(Figure 5.1).The multi-objective approach provides planners with a decision support tool and results in a number of train load plans. Planners can then decide which of the plans suits the current operational environment the most Ambrosino et al (2016). focus in a conference paper on multiple objectives regarding crane operations and reshuffles in the storage area at seaports.…”

“…Thesis summary -Chapter 5. minimise the number of reshuffles in the storage area and the number of pin changes. As opposed toAmbrosino et al (2016), we consider a multi-objective problem from the perspective of an operator who receives transport orders and has to plan these according to the customer requirements and operational circumstances within an intermodal rail-road context. More specifically, our problem is aimed at maximising train length utilisation, scores for assigning load units to a more preferred, flexible destination and the number of urgent load units assigned.Compared to existing research, additional characteristics of a real-life train planning environment are introduced.…”

Panorama of real-life applications in logistics embedding bin packing optimization algorithms, robotics and cloud computing technologies

“…This application deals with the operational planning of trains [1]. Furthermore, assigning a destination of a train is treated beforehand and the results are inputs for component optimization.…”