Centralized and decentralized train scheduling for intermodal operations

Abstract

We investigate a spectrum of decision-making approaches, from centralized to decentralized, within the context of scheduling direct and indirect (via a hub) trains and assigning containers to trains for the rail (linehaul) portion of the intermodal trip. The goal is to minimize operating costs, including a fixed charge for each train, variable transportation and handling costs for each container and yard storage costs, while meeting on-time delivery requirements. If shipping requirements are known, a centralized solution provides for better coordination, thereby reducing costs. However, information may not be available to support centralized decision-making. We present several methods for obtaining good solutions, and show that carefully-designed decentralized approaches may perform as well as centralized approaches for our problem.