Sustainable Solutions for Freight Transport Optimization

In the face of a growing global climate crisis, the transportation sector has come under intense scrutiny for its substantial contribution to environmental degradation. As one of the leading sources of pollution, the freight transport industry is at a critical juncture where the need for sustainable practices has never been more urgent. While multimodal transport systems—combining road, rail, maritime, and air—offer significant benefits in terms of flexibility and efficiency, they also present formidable challenges, particularly regarding emissions and environmental impact. This thesis delves into the concept of green logistics as a transformative approach to optimizing multimodal freight transport, with the dual aim of enhancing operational efficiency and significantly reducing ecological footprints. To tackle these pressing issues, the research introduces a scalable and modular platform designed to address complex logistics challenges through an integrated framework. The platform incorporates a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model specifically designed to integrate multiple transportation modes while optimizing route selection under time and cost constraints. It emphasizes the selection of the shortest, most sustainable routes, reducing the used vehicles and lowering emissions, thereby fostering more sustainable urban and intermodal logistics networks. The platform's modular design enables adaptability across various logistics contexts, accommodating diverse operational requirements and decision-making scenarios. The second module of the platform addresses the multifacility location-routing problem in urban logistics. This component focuses on balancing the placement of pickup-delivery stations and home delivery services, optimizing their use to minimize total costs and pollutant emissions. By incorporating dynamic customer behaviors—such as their willingness to walk to pickup points—and adjusting for variations in station activation costs, this module delivers tailored solutions for urban freight operations. The combination of these two modules underscores the platform's ability to scale seamlessly between long-haul multimodal logistics and localized urban delivery challenges. Extensive and realistic test, based on data from the Italian multimodal transport network and case studies in urban logistics in Genoa, confirm the platform's effectiveness. Results demonstrate significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, fuel consumption, and operational costs, while also enhancing the utilization of transport capacity and minimizing resource waste. Moreover, the findings highlight how incentivizing collaborative logistics practices can further enhance system efficiency and environmental sustainability. This study not only enhances the theoretical understanding of multimodal transport optimization but also provides a practical, scalable, and modular solution to real-world logistics challenges. By integrating advanced methodologies and innovative approaches, it lays a robust foundation for developing more sustainable, efficient, and resilient logistics networks for the future.