?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fmiis.maths.ox.ac.uk%2Fmiis%2F561%2F&rft.title=Efficient+loading+of+intermodal+container+trains&rft.creator=Ernst%2C+A.&rft.creator=Pudney%2C+P.&rft.subject=Transport+and+Automotive&rft.description=Efficient+loading+and+unloading+of+trains+is+crucial+if+rail+transport+is+to+compete+with+road+transport.+The+cost+of+rail+transport+can+be+reduced+by+improving+the+placement+of+containers+on+trains+so+that+the+number+of+wagons+required+is+minimised+and+so+that+the+train+can+be+operated+safely+and+efficiently.+The+cost+of+terminal+operations%2C+and+the+delays+experienced+by+customers'+trucks%2C+can+be+reduced+by+improving+the+procedures+used+to+load+and+unload+trains.%0D%0A%0D%0AWe+divided+the+problem+into+three+subtasks.+The+first+task+is+to+develop+a+load+plan+for+a+train+based+on+the+expected+mix+of+containers.+An+ideal+plan+specifies+positions+on+the+train+for+various+container+types+in+a+way+that+minimises+the+number+of+wagons+required+while+meeting+a+number+of+packing%2C+safety+and+aerodynamic+constraints.+The+second+task+is+truck+dispatching+-+when+a+truck+arrives+at+the+terminal%2C+where+should+it+be+sent%3F+This+problem+is+not+straightforward+because+trucks+arrive+randomly+and+loading+and+unloading+occur+simultaneously%2C+and+so+the+ideal+position+for+a+container+may+not+yet+be+available.+The+third+task+is+to+dispatch+the+stackers+that+transfer+containers+between+trains+and+trucks+in+such+a+way+that+truck+waiting+time+is+minimised.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+train+planning+problem+can+be+formulated+as+an+integer+programming+problem%2C+but+it+can+also+be+solved+using+the+OASIS+software+already+owned+by+National+Rail+Corporation.+Train+plans+can+be+made+more+flexible+by+using+container+classes+rather+than+specific+container+details.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe+study+group+suggested+several+truck+dispatch+schemes%2C+but+did+not+have+sufficient+data+to+evaluate+the+schemes.&rft.date=2001&rft.type=Study+Group+Report&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fmiis.maths.ox.ac.uk%2Fmiis%2F561%2F1%2FEfficient-loading-of-intermodal-container-trains.pdf&rft.identifier=++Ernst%2C+A.+and+Pudney%2C+P.++(2001)+Efficient+loading+of+intermodal+container+trains.++%5BStudy+Group+Report%5D+++++