We update a previously presented Linear Programming (LP) methodology for estimating state level costs for reducing CO2 emissions from existing coal-fired power plants by cofiring switchgrass, a biomass energy crop, and coal. This paper presents national level results of applying the methodology to the entire portion of the United States in which switchgrass could be grown without irrigation. We...

The axial multi-index transportation problem is defined as follows. Given are k sets A,, each set having n, elements, r = 1,. , k. The Cartesian product of the sets A, is denoted by A. To each element a E A a certain cost, c, E R, is associated. Further, a nonnegative demand e,; is associated to each set Ari = {u E A : u(r) = i}. The problem is to find nonnegative real numbers x0 such that each...

A sustainable transport system needs a cost accounting and full cost-pricing systems reflecting economicfactors which originate from transport activity inhibiting sustainable development (namely, externalities; spillovereffects and non-priced inter-sectorial linkages; public goods; uncompetitive markets; myopic planning horizonsand high discount rates; risk and uncertainty, irre...

In this paper we consider the problem of planning the production and distribution in a supply chain. The situation consists in a set of distribution centers seeking to serve to a set of retailers; these distribution centers are supplied by a set of plants trying to minimize the operation and transportation costs. The problem is formulated as a bilevel mathematical problem where the upper level ...

In this paper we show the benefits of regional connectivity and specialization to growth. Starting with one region we show how welfare measured by utility per head increases as the number of connected regions increase. We assume a common connectivity infrastructure implemented by satellite, through which the ‘Great Connector’ (GC) is able to add new regions to the pool of connected regions by t...

The focus of our research is on rail transportation of intermodal containers. We address the problem of determining day-of-week schedules for both direct and indirect (via a hub) trains and allocating containers to these trains for the rail (linehaul) portion of the intermodal trip. The goal is to minimize operating costs, including a fixed charge for each train, variable transportation and han...

Because of historically high fuel prices, the trucking industry’s operating expenses are higher than ever, and thus profit margins lower than ever. To cut costs, the trucking industry is searching for and exploring new ideas. We investigate the potential of collaborative opportunities in truckload transportation. When carriers serve transportation requests from many shippers, they may be able t...

Freight transportation is a major component of logistical operations. Due to the increase in global trade, fierce competition among shippers and raising concerns about energy, companies are putting more emphasis on effective management and usage of transportation services. This paper studies the transportation pricing problem of a truckload carrier in a setting that consists of a retailer, a tr...

A growing cost pressure due to increasing transportation costs and a changing environment call for a flexible adaptability of the inbound logistics processes in the automotive industry. Therefore, these processes need to be continuously reviewed for efficiency potentials. This paper provides an optimization model that allows for the integrated cost assessment of supply and transportation concep...