Study On Inland Port Location With The Perspective Of Environment And Shippers’ Utility

The development of inland ports has positive effect for all the sectors in the transportation network. China has witnessed a rapid development of inland port in the past few years. The construction boom undoubtly can give full play to the advantage of inland ports, but also results in overcapacity and low efficiency. The fully functional inland ports were constructed just several years ago; there is not enough practical experience, especially for the detailed issues. The problem is extreme obvious when deciding locations. At present, the location decisions are made without the support of relevant theories and methodologies. This paper aims to solve the problem. We discussed the location problems with considertation of different actors and targets. The main goal of the paper is to provide guidance for forming a reasonable inland ports layout, utilizing resourses in efficient way and making the transportation chain more efficient.This paper is based on the theory of optimal location decisions. We review the the exsiting literatures first, then we propose the location problem in the light of the degree of influence factors complexity and amout of actors involved. The paper is organized as follows. Firstly, we discuss the basic location probem which takes cost and capacity constraints into consideration. The location and capacity level are taken as the decision variables; fix-up cost, transportation cost, storage cost and time cost are composed in the model. The model can decide the optimal location as well as reasonable capacity for the inland port, in which way the overcapacity and inadequate capacity can be avoided. The algorithm based on Genetic Algorighm is proposed. Then we extend the problem and analyze the externalities and classification of external cost of transportation. The location problem with environmental perspectives is demonstrated, with the consideration of the trend of green logistics. We propose a two-objective location model aims to minimizing the emission and cost which includes external cost. NSGA Ⅱ, which does not need to assign the weights of the objectives in the model in subjective way, is applied to solve the model. After this, we take a further perspective to consider other factors that can influence shippers’decisions except for the cost. A utility function is proposed with the aid of questionnaire and interview; a location model with emission minimization and systemetic efficiency maximization as objectives is designed. Moreover, the case studies of Central Plains Economic Region are presented in all the chapters to select optimal inland ports locations, allocate regional export demands among seaports and inland ports and form gradient inland ports layout in different scenarios.