How can the utilization of freight trains in intermodal transport be significantly improved without losing sight of the complex practical requirements? This question was the focus of Yuerui Tang's presentation at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting in January 2025. Under the title “Optimizing Train Load Planning in Intermodal Transportation”, he presented innovative approaches to maximize capacity utilization in freight shipping. Using a comparison of mathematical models and a case study with real data from a leading European operator, it was shown how modern optimization techniques can revolutionize combined road and rail freight transport.

Key Highlights:

1. Examined the challenges of handling diverse load unit types (containers, swap bodies, semi-trailers) and wagon configurations in intermodal road/rail freight transport.

2. Addressed constraints like load positioning, weight distribution, and customer order probabilities, which make planning a challenging task.

3. Compared mathematical models, highlighting why the Big-M method is the most efficient for many scenarios.

4. Presented results from a case study using real-world data from a major European intermodal operator, serving over 220 terminals in 25 countries.

Key Takeaway: By extending traditional train load planning approaches, this research showcases how advanced optimization techniques can significantly enhance capacity utilization in combined road/rail freight transport.