Optimal Route Planning for Energy Savings : A Case Study of Steel Transportation

Abstract

This paper presents the analysis of optimal routes for steel products transportation with the aim to reduce energy consumption and traffic load. The uses of trailer only, train – trailer and barge – trailer for the transportation from a specific origin to 22 steel demands points in Thailand was compared. A multiobjective optimization model for solving the optimal inland routes such that the energy consumption as well as transportation cost and time are minimized is proposed. The results demonstrated that the proposed
new route can reduce the energy consumption and cost by 75.42% and 28.71%, respectively. The model can indeed serve as a decision tool for steel and other bulk transportation operators with the aim to minimize the energy consumption, cost and time for cargo transportation.