Design for transport and logistics

The case can be based on the following topics:

• Design of freight-based Logistics Networks

o Network Optimization models and methods,

o Planning and Scheduling for Long-Haul Freight Transportation.

o Planning and Scheduling for Short-Haul Freight Transportation

• Design of people-based logistics networks

o Timetabling

o Crew and vehicle scheduling

This course trains the students to develop control structures for the control of complex freight transport and logistics systems, taking into account the technological, economical and organizational constraints that a design has to satisfy. The students learn to evaluate the designs and select one that best satisfies the design requirements in terms of performance and costs. Ths is made specific by addressing the following Learning Outcomes (LOs):

LO1: Investigate and analyse a complex logistics environment and critically assess it by summarizing relevant bottlenecks and characteristics.
LO2: Identify and consciously decide upon a challenging business problem within the logistics environment and relate it to state-of-the-art knowledge in the application domain.
LO3: Identify the key optimization problem in the business problem by identifying a mathematical conceptual model.
LO4: Design and develop the mathematical models underlying the optimization problem using mixed-integer programming or any other relevant established approach within mathematical programming.
LO5: Design and develop a solution approach fitting to the optimization problem that is computationally feasible and valid for the business context.
LO6: Evaluate the quality of the solution approach by testing it on the optimization problem and the associated business problem.
LO7: Collaborate in groups and present recommendations of the challenge towards business owners.

You must meet one of the following collections of requirements

• Collection 1
• Completed Final examination Bsc program
• Collection 2
• Completed Pre-Master

• Introduction to Logistics Systems Management, Ghiani, Laporte, Musmanno, Wiley, 2013
• Additional material