Railway Container Station Reselection Approach and Application: Based on Entropy-Cloud Model

Reasonable railway container freight stations layout means higher transportation efficiency and less transportation cost. To obtain more objective and accurate reselection results, a new entropy-cloud approach is formulated to solve the problem. The approach comprises three phases: Entropy Method is used to obtain the weight of each subcriterion during Phase  1, then cloud model is designed to form the evaluation cloud for each subcriterion during Phase  2, and finally during Phase  3 we use the weight during Phase  1 to multiply the initial evaluation cloud during Phase  2. MATLAB is applied to determine the evaluation figures and help us to make the final alternative decision. To test our approach, the railway container stations in Wuhan Railway Bureau were selected for our case study. The final evaluation result indicates only Xiangyang Station should be renovated and developed as a Special Transaction Station, five other stations should be kept and developed as Ordinary Stations, and the remaining 16 stations should be closed. Furthermore, the results show that, before the site reselection process, the average distance between two railway container stations was only 74.7 km but has improved to 182.6 km after using the approach formulated in this paper

Developing a diagnostic heuristic for integrated sugarcane supply and processing systems.

Doctoral Degrees. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Innovation is a valuable asset that gives supply chains a competitive edge. Moreover, the adoption of innovative research recommendations in agricultural value chains and integrated sugarcane supply and processing systems (ISSPS) in particular has been relatively slow when compared with other industries such as electronics and automotive. The slow adoption is attributed to the complex, multidimensional nature of ISSPS and the perceived lack of a holistic approach when dealing with certain issues. Most of the interventions into ISSPS often view the system as characterised by tame problems hence, the widespread application of traditional operations research approaches. Integrated sugarcane supply and processing systems are, nonetheless, also characterised by wicked problems. Interventions into such contexts should therefore, embrace tame and/or wicked issues. Systemic approaches are important and have in the past identified several system-scale opportunities within ISSPS. Such interventions are multidisciplinary and employ a range of methodologies spanning across paradigms. The large number of methodologies available, however, makes choosing the right method or a combination thereof difficult. In this context, a novel overarching diagnostic heuristic for ISSPS was developed in this research. The heuristic will be used todiagnose relatively small, but pertinent ISSPS constraints and opportunities. The heuristic includes a causal model that determines and ranks linkages between the many domains that govern integrated agricultural supply and processing systems (IASPS) viz. biophysical, collaboration, culture, economics, environment, future strategy, information sharing, political forces, and structures. Furthermore, a diagnostic toolkit based on the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was developed. The toolkit comprises a diagnostic criteria and a suite of systemic tools. The toolkit, in addition, determines thesuitability of each tool to diagnose any of the IASPS domains. Overall, the diagnostic criteria include accessibility, interactiveness, transparency, iterativeness, feedback, cause-and-effect logic, and time delays. The tools considered for the toolkit were current reality trees, fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs), network analysis approaches, rich pictures (RP), stock and flow diagrams, cause and effect diagrams (CEDs), and causal loop diagrams (CLDs). Results from the causal model indicate that collaboration, structure and information sharing had a high direct leverage over the other domains as these were associated with a larger number of linkages. Collaboration and structure further provided dynamic leverage as these were also part of feedback loops. Political forces and the culture domain in contrast, provided lowleverage as these domains were only directly linked to collaboration. It was further revealed that each tool provides a different facet to complexity hence, the need for methodological pluralism. All the tools except RP could be applied, to a certain extent, across both appreciation and analysis criteria. Rich pictures do not have causal analysis capabilities viz. cause-and-effect logic, time delays and feedback. Stock and flow diagrams and CLDs conversely, met all criteria. All the diagnostic tools in the toolkit could be used across all the system domains except for FCMs. Fuzzy cognitive maps are explicitly subjective and their contribution lies outside the objective world. Caution should therefore be practiced when FCMs areapplied within the biophysical domain. The heuristic is only an aid to decision making. The decision to select a tool or a combination thereof remains with the user(s). Even though the heuristic was demonstrated at Mhlume sugarcane milling area, it is recommended that other areas be considered for future research. The heuristic itself should continuously be updated with criteria, tools and other domain dimensions

The Improvement Model of Navigational Safety for Inland Waterway Transport

This paper aims at evaluating navigational safety for inland waterway transport (IWT). In doing so, the literature and operational features of IWT were initially reviewed to figure out risk elements (REs) influencing the navigational safety for IWT. After that, a fuzzy Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP) approach was adopted to estimate the weight for the likelihood and consequence measures of REs. Then, continuous risk matrix (RM) was introduced to identify REs\u27 risk level. Lastly, to test the proposed research model\u27s applicability, IWT operators across Vietnam were empirically surveyed. The empirical findings could be useful for IWT operators in launching managerial policies to boost their navigational safety. Furthermore, the proposed risk evaluation framework may serve as a methodological reference in relevant literature

Stream processing data decision model for higher environmental performance and resilience in sustainable logistics infrastructure

Purpose: As the global freight transport network has experienced high vulnerability and threats from both natural and man-made disasters, as a result, a huge amount of data is generated in freight transport system in form of continuous streams; it is becoming increasingly important to develop sustainable and resilient transport system to recover from any unforeseen circumstances quickly and efficiently. The aim of this paper is to develop a stream processing data driven decision-making model for higher environmental performance and resilience in sustainable logistics infrastructure by using fifteen dimensions with three interrelated domains. Design/methodology/approach: A causal and hierarchical stream processing data driven decision-making model to evaluate the impact of different attributes and their interrelationships and to measure the level of environmental performance and resilience capacity of sustainable logistics infrastructure are proposed. This work uses fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) techniques. A real-life case under a disruptive event scenario is further conducted. Findings: The result shows which attributes have a greater impact on the level of environmental performance and resilience capacity in sustainable logistics infrastructure. Originality/value: In this paper, causal and hierarchical stream processing data decision and control system model was proposed by identified three domains and fifteen dimensions to assess the level of environmental performance and resilience in sustainable logistics infrastructure. The proposed model gives researchers and practitioners insights about sustainability trade-offs for a resilient and sustainable global transport supply chain system by enabling to model interdependencies among the decision attributes under a fuzzy environment and streaming data

Optimization for Decision Making II

In the current context of the electronic governance of society, both administrations and citizens are demanding the greater participation of all the actors involved in the decision-making process relative to the governance of society. This book presents collective works published in the recent Special Issue (SI) entitled “Optimization for Decision Making II”. These works give an appropriate response to the new challenges raised, the decision-making process can be done by applying different methods and tools, as well as using different objectives. In real-life problems, the formulation of decision-making problems and the application of optimization techniques to support decisions are particularly complex and a wide range of optimization techniques and methodologies are used to minimize risks, improve quality in making decisions or, in general, to solve problems. In addition, a sensitivity or robustness analysis should be done to validate/analyze the influence of uncertainty regarding decision-making. This book brings together a collection of inter-/multi-disciplinary works applied to the optimization of decision making in a coherent manner

Development of transportation and supply chain problems with the combination of agent-based simulation and network optimization

Demand drives a different range of supply chain and logistics location decisions, and agent-based modeling (ABM) introduces innovative solutions to address supply chain and logistics problems. This dissertation focuses on an agent-based and network optimization approach to resolve those problems and features three research projects that cover prevalent supply chain management and logistics problems. The first case study evaluates demographic densities in Norway, Finland, and Sweden, and covers how distribution center (DC) locations can be established using a minimizing trip distance approach. Furthermore, traveling time maps are developed for each scenario. In addition, the Nordic area consisting of those three countries is analyzed and five DC location optimization results are presented. The second case study introduces transportation cost modelling in the process of collecting tree logs from several districts and transporting them to the nearest collection point. This research project presents agent-based modelling (ABM) that incorporates comprehensively the key elements of the pick-up and delivery supply chain model and designs the components as autonomous agents communicating with each other. The modelling merges various components such as GIS routing, potential facility locations, random tree log pickup locations, fleet sizing, trip distance, and truck and train transportation. The entire pick-up and delivery operation are modeled by ABM and modeling outcomes are provided by time series charts such as the number of trucks in use, facilities inventory and travel distance. In addition, various scenarios of simulation based on potential facility locations and truck numbers are evaluated and the optimal facility location and fleet size are identified. In the third case study, an agent-based modeling strategy is used to address the problem of vehicle scheduling and fleet optimization. The solution method is employed to data from a real-world organization, and a set of key performance indicators are created to assess the resolution's effectiveness. The ABM method, contrary to other modeling approaches, is a fully customized method that can incorporate extensively various processes and elements. ABM applying the autonomous agent concept can integrate various components that exist in the complex supply chain and create a similar system to assess the supply chain efficiency.Tuotteiden kysyntä ohjaa erilaisia toimitusketju- ja logistiikkasijaintipäätöksiä, ja agenttipohjainen mallinnusmenetelmä (ABM) tuo innovatiivisia ratkaisuja toimitusketjun ja logistiikan ongelmien ratkaisemiseen. Tämä väitöskirja keskittyy agenttipohjaiseen mallinnusmenetelmään ja verkon optimointiin tällaisten ongelmien ratkaisemiseksi, ja sisältää kolme tapaustutkimusta, jotka voidaan luokitella kuuluvan yleisiin toimitusketjun hallinta- ja logistiikkaongelmiin. Ensimmäinen tapaustutkimus esittelee kuinka käyttämällä väestötiheyksiä Norjassa, Suomessa ja Ruotsissa voidaan määrittää strategioita jakelukeskusten (DC) sijaintiin käyttämällä matkan etäisyyden minimoimista. Kullekin skenaariolle kehitetään matka-aikakartat. Lisäksi analysoidaan näistä kolmesta maasta koostuvaa pohjoismaista aluetta ja esitetään viisi mahdollista sijaintia optimointituloksena. Toinen tapaustutkimus esittelee kuljetuskustannusmallintamisen prosessissa, jossa puutavaraa kerätään useilta alueilta ja kuljetetaan lähimpään keräyspisteeseen. Tämä tutkimusprojekti esittelee agenttipohjaista mallinnusta (ABM), joka yhdistää kattavasti noudon ja toimituksen toimitusketjumallin keskeiset elementit ja suunnittelee komponentit keskenään kommunikoiviksi autonomisiksi agenteiksi. Mallinnuksessa yhdistetään erilaisia komponentteja, kuten GIS-reititys, mahdolliset tilojen sijainnit, satunnaiset puunhakupaikat, kaluston mitoitus, matkan pituus sekä monimuotokuljetukset. ABM:n avulla mallinnetaan noutojen ja toimituksien koko ketju ja tuloksena saadaan aikasarjoja kuvaamaan käytössä olevat kuorma-autot, sekä varastomäärät ja ajetut matkat. Lisäksi arvioidaan erilaisia simuloinnin skenaarioita mahdollisten laitosten sijainnista ja kuorma-autojen lukumäärästä sekä tunnistetaan optimaalinen toimipisteen sijainti ja tarvittava autojen määrä. Kolmannessa tapaustutkimuksessa agenttipohjaista mallinnusstrategiaa käytetään ratkaisemaan ajoneuvojen aikataulujen ja kaluston optimoinnin ongelma. Ratkaisumenetelmää käytetään dataan, joka on peräisin todellisesta organisaatiosta, ja ratkaisun tehokkuuden arvioimiseksi luodaan lukuisia keskeisiä suorituskykyindikaattoreita. ABM-menetelmä, toisin kuin monet muut mallintamismenetelmät, on täysin räätälöitävissä oleva menetelmä, joka voi sisältää laajasti erilaisia prosesseja ja elementtejä. Autonomisia agentteja soveltava ABM voi integroida erilaisia komponentteja, jotka ovat olemassa monimutkaisessa toimitusketjussa ja luoda vastaavan järjestelmän toimitusketjun tehokkuuden arvioimiseksi yksityiskohtaisesti.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Comparative Analysis Of The Isps Code Non-conformities From Total Quality Management And Cognitive Mapping Perspective

Tez (Yüksek Lisans) -- İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, 2014Thesis (M.Sc.) -- İstanbul Technical University, Institute of Science and Technology, 2014Günümüzde dünya ticaretinin yaklaşık % 90’ı denizyolu ile gerçekleştirilmektedir. Dünya deniz ticaretinden yılda 400 Milyar Dolar gelir elde edilmektedir. Bu rakamlar denizyolu taşımacılığının ne derecede önemli bir konuma geldiğini göstermektedir. Deniz taşımacılığının ülke ekonomilerindeki yeri gelişmekte, bu sebeple limanlar ve deniz araçlarının önemi de artmaktadır. Stratejik önemi haiz olan deniz limanları yapısal ve kurumsal, ekonomik, finansal, yönetsel, çevresel ve rekabet açılarından pek çok risk ve tehlikeler ile karşı karşıyadır. Bu risk ve tehlikelerin tespit ve tanımının yapılması, alınacak tedbirler ve yapılacak eylemler için son derece önemlidir. 11 Eylül 2001’deki trajik olayları takiben, gemi ve liman tesisleri güvenliği ile bağıntılı yeni önlemler geliştirilmesine Uluslararası Denizcilik Örgütü Meclisi tarafından yirmi ikinci oturumda oybirliği ile karar verilmiştir ISPS Kod Kuralları uluslararası alanda ve yaygın olarak kabul gören, denizcilik endüstrisini, denizyolu ticaretini ve dünya ekonomisini terörizm konusunda emniyet altına almaya ve limanlar ile gemiler arasındaki işbirliği ve koordinasyona odaklanmış ilk proaktif düzenleyici çerçevedir. Bu çalışma, ISPS Kod sözleşmesi uygulama süresindeki genel etki sürecine neden olan potansiyel problemleri tespit etmek amacıyla kalite kusurlarının önlenmesi için Balık Kılçığı (Ishikawa) Diyagramı ve Pareto Diyagramı tekniklerini ve beyin fırtınası oturumlarını kullanarak, ISPS Kod Kurallarının kalite perspektifinden çözümsel ve sistematik analizini sunmaktadır. Daha sonra ise, Balık kılçığı diyagramıyla bulunan ana sebep ve alt sebeplerin birbiriyle olan ilişkisini bulmak amacıyla bilişsel haritalama yöntemine başvurulmuştur.Maritime transport is generally regarded as an important enabler of the world trade and plays a crucial role in the global system. Seaports are very important, which are an inseparable part of this transport, in terms of presence, necessity and economic activity. Because of transnational flows of goods and people; ports and maritime transport has been exposed to several types of security threats. Piracy, robbery attacks, terrorist attacks, illegal migrations, smuggling, human and drug trafficking are the most noticeable threats. This study addresses analytical analysis of the ISPS Code from quality perspective by using Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram) and Pareto Chart techniques and brainstorming sessions for quality defect prevention in order to identify potential factors causing an overall effect process. Fish-bone diagram is prepared to illustrate the problems effecting the ISPS Code’s implementation and Pareto charts are prepared for all the criteria to identify major causes in implementation of the ISPS Code. Finally, Cognitive-mapping method is used to determine the relationship between the causes and sub causes which was identified in Fish-bone diagram to see how the causes and sub causes affect each other.Yüksek LisansM.Sc