Location Analysis Model for Belgian Intermodal Terminals: Importance of the value of time in the intermodal transport chain

Intermodal transport, the combination and integration of several transport modes, with the use of loading units, is in most cases more environmentally friendly than unimodal road transport for the carriage of goods. The LAMBIT-model (Location Analysis Model for Belgian Intermodal Terminals) has been developed to analyse the market areas of existing and potential intermodal terminals. In the LAMBIT model, barge/road and rail/road intermodal chains can be compared to unimodal road transport within Belgium. In this paper we show how to include, next to market prices, the value of time in the model and how to integrate other factors influencing the cost structure, such as the possibility to use the terminal as an empty depot and implications of the so-called backhaul problem and the distance of the post-haulage section. Different scenarios will be evaluated and compared to the reference scenario. 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.