A bi-level programming approach for the shipper-carrier network problem

The Stackelberg game betweenshippers and carriers in an intermodal network is formulated as a bi-levelprogram. In this network, shippers make production, consumption, androuting decisions while carriers make pricing and routing decisions.The oligopolistic carrier pricing and routing problem, which comprisesthe upper level of the bi-level program, is formulated either as a nonlinearconstrained optimization problem or as a variational inequality problem,depending on whether the oligopolistic carriers choose to collude orcompete with each other in their pricing decision. The shippers\u27 decisionbehavior is defined by the spatial price equilibrium principle. Forthe spatial price equilibrium problem, which is the lower level of thebi-level program, a variational inequality formulation is used to accountfor the asymmetric interactions between flows of different commoditytypes. A sensitivity analysis-based heuristic algorithm is proposedto solve the program. An example application of the bi-level programmingapproach analyzes the behavior of two marine terminal operators. Theterminal operators are considered to be under the same Port Authority.The bi-level programming approach is then used to evaluate the PortAuthority\u27s alternative investment strategies

The impact of just-in-time manufacturing on the transportation sector

The Just-in-time philosophy has become more and more the focus of interest when companies define their strategies to be successful in future competition. JIT was introduced by Toyota in the early seventies and rapidly adopted by many other Japanese firms. In the eighties, American and European companies were compelled to consider this new manufacturing approach in their own strategies if they wanted to hold their position as world class manufacturers and keep pace with the international competition. Since then, an increasing number of companies have been planning or implementing JIT principles in their production process. [Continues.

Cargo/Logistics Airlift System Study (CLASS), Volume 2

Air containerization is discussed in terms of lower freight rates, size and pallet limitations, refrigeration, backhaul of empties, and ownership. It is concluded that there is a need for an advance air cargo system as indicated by the industry/transportation case studies, and a stimulation of the air cargo would result in freight rate reductions

Information technology application in intermodal terminal management

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2002.Page 125 blank.Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-124).by Ying Zhu.S.M

An Examination of Railroad Capacity and its Implications for Rail-Highway Intermodal Transportation

After many years of decline in market share, railroads are now experiencing an increasing demand for their services. Service intensive intermodal transportation seems to be an especially promising market area. Since the historic decline in traffic has been accompanied by a reduction in network infrastructure, however, the railroads\u27 ability to handle sizable traffic increases, at least in the short term, is in question. Since rail transportation is critical to the domestic economy of the nation, and is increasingly important in international logistics channels, shortfalls in railroad capacity are not desirable. The published literature on railroad capacity is relatively sparse, especially in comparison to the highway mode. Much of what is available pertains to individual network components such as lines or terminals. Evaluation of system capacity, considering the interactive effects of traffic flowing through a network of lines and terminals, has received less attention. A tool specifically designed for evaluating freight railroad system capacity issues could be a useful addition to the rail analyst\u27s toolbox. The research conducted in this study resulted in the formulation and application of RAILNET, a multicomrnodity, multicarrier network model for predicting equilibrium flows within a railroad network. Designed for strategic planning with a short term horizon, the model assumes fixed external demand. The predicted flows meet the conditions for Wardropian system equilibrium. At completion, the solution algorithm predicts the expected delay per train on each link, allowing the analyst to identify areas of congestion. Following completion of the model, it was applied to a case study examining the railroad network in the southeastern U.S. The public use version of the Interstate Commerce Commission\u27s Commodity Waybill Sample (CWS) provided flow data. The dissertation describes the procedure used to develop the case study and presents some results. The case points to major deficiencies in the CWS data which resulted in substantially less traffic in the network than is actually present. In general, given this limitation, the model behaved well and results appear reasonable, although not necessarily reflective of actual network conditions

INDUSTRY CONVENTIONS EDI LSOG MECHANIZATION SPECIFICATION 4 ASC X12 VERSION 004020

This document is printed and distributed by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) on behalf of the Telecommunications Industry Forum (TCIF). Participants in TCIF are hereby authorized to reproduce and distribute this document within their own business provided that this notice continues to appear in the reproduced documentation. Reproduction and distribution for resale is prohibited. Reproduction and distribution for resale is prohibited. If any parts of the guidelines, e.g. Business Models, Transaction Sets, etc. are copied and incorporated into a Company’s guidelines, TCIF/EDI and the authoring subcommittee should be acknowledged as the source of the information. For ordering information, please contact: Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solution

The management information systems analysis of a Hong Kong shipping company.

by Tang Yat Hung, Anthony, Cheng Wing Chiu, Tony, Yuen Kam Por, Alex, Tse Kam Keung, To William.Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1985.Includes bibliographical references (pages 368-369

Measuring supply chain carbon efficiency : a carbon label framework

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 273-293).In the near term, efficiency improvements represent a key option for reducing the impacts of climate change. The growing awareness of climate change has increased the attention regarding the carbon emissions "embedded" in the products we consume. This increased attention creates a need to measure and improve the carbon efficiency of the supply chains that produce those goods. In this thesis we present a method for measuring the carbon efficiency of a supply chain that recognizes the decentralized nature of supply chains. First, drawing from concepts in supply chain performance measurement and eco-efficiency we propose a definition of supply chain carbon efficiency that is consistent with the idea of a product's carbon footprint. We present Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a method for quantifying the environmental impact of a product or service, as the appropriate method of measuring a product's carbon footprint and demonstrate the use of LCA through a case study involving the supply chain of bananas. Next, we characterize the difficulty and uncertainty in performing an LCA of a supply chain through an analysis of our case study of bananas. We present a framework to reduce the uncertainty though the concept of a carbon label. The carbon label provides a system where firms can measure the carbon footprint of their activities and share this information with their supply chain partners. We identify the role of third parties in facilitating information sharing and define the characteristics that describe the carbon label. Finally, we demonstrate how the carbon label works in the context of the supply chain. Through an analysis of the mode and carrier assignment steps in an integrated supply chain we develop new metrics that show how sharing information can increase the accuracy of the measured carbon footprint and improve decision-making. We provide incentive for firms to share information through the development of a vertical differentiation model of product carbon labels. Our model shows how consumer demand for lower carbon products drives reductions in the carbon footprint throughout the supply chain and induces firms to voluntarily disclose their carbon footprint.by Anthony J. Craig.Ph.D

Strategic management in the global container shipping industry.

Container shipping is of immense importance to global industry, and one of thecritical enablers of globalisation. Analysis of the global container shippingindustry suggests the potential for significant economies of scope and scale, andhence low costs and high efficiency, both recognised benefits of a globalstrategy. However, the global activities of container shipping lines are subject toa series of countervailing pressures, in particular, state regulation, shipperpower, and the constant threat of competition. In an industry wheredifferentiation has been absent, or at best difficult to achieve, there exists agrowing belief amongst industry leaders that competitive advantage can besecured through providing a higher level intermodal service with a globalnetwork. This project identifies these and other important strategic managementissuesr elating to containers hipping. it comparess trategiesa doptedb y industryleaders Sea-Land Service Inc. and Evergreen Line, two firms appearing toexhibit different modes of operation. Key differences in the strategies adoptedby these lines' are identified. Through application of an established theoreticalframework to help finther analyset he strategieso f thesec ompetitors,a nd aidedby in-depth interviews with executives from each firm, it has been possible toidentify specific organisational pressures associated with the conflicting needsfor global operationali ntegration of activities and for local responsivenessT. hestudy has found that, in the global container shipping industry, competitors mustimplement strategies that facilitate a capability for both global integration andfor local responsivenessT. his means that firms participating in the globalcontainer shipping industry must be multifocal; they must seek to develop thecapability to manage both sets of demands simultaneously. Nevertheless, it isevident that whilst eachf irm is subjectt o broadly similar pressuresin respecto fthe needs for integration and responsiveness, they adopt rather differentstrategies in attempting to meet these needs. With Sea-Land there is clearly anintermodal orientation, with more emphasis placed on intermodal capabilitiesand landside activities than on maritime aspects. Conversely, Evergreen Linewas found to have a predominantly maritime orientation, placing greateremphasis on ships and containers and rather less emphasis on landside activities. These and other differences between carrier strategies relate to the series ofstrategic choices global liner shipping companies must make regarding thespecific assets and operations necessary to provide a global container service.Using the grounded theory approach, a theoretical framework specific to theglobal container shipping industry has been developed that outlines thesechoices, illustrating the various options open to industry competitors. EntitledStrategic Choice in Container Shipping, the framework can be used as ateaching instrument to help explain industry complexity, and as an analyticaltool to aid management decision-making and strategic planning