Network Design with Applications to Transportation and Logistics

The book explores the methodological and application developments of network design in transportation and logistics, identifying trends, challenges, and research perspectives. It covers basic design problems, advanced models, and potential application areas, written by leading researchers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 668 pages
Publication date: 17 July 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the methodological and application advancements of network design in transportation and logistics. It identifies trends, challenges, and research perspectives in network design for these critical domains. Network design, a fundamental branch of operations research, intersects network flow, combinatorial optimization, and mixed integer programming. The analysis and planning of transportation and logistics systems remain paramount in the realm of operations research, and networks serve as an effective means of representing these complex systems. Consequently, optimizing the design and operation of networks is a central methodological area employed in the analysis and planning of transportation and logistics systems.

This book serves as a comprehensive guide to the current state-of-the-art in network design, encompassing a wide range of applications. It begins by examining fundamental design problems, such as fixed-cost network design and parallel algorithms. Subsequently, Part II delves into more advanced models, covering topics such as multi-facility network design, flow-constrained network design, and robust network design. Part III is entirely dedicated to exploring the potential application areas for network design. These areas span from rail networks to city logistics and energy transport, each presented by leading researchers in the field.

The book is organized into three parts, each providing a comprehensive overview of the relevant topics. Part I provides a solid foundation by examining basic design problems and algorithms. It covers topics such as network flow optimization, shortest path algorithms, and network reliability analysis. Part II builds upon the foundations established in Part I, introducing more complex models and methodologies. Chapters in this part explore topics such as multi-facility network design, which considers the coordination of multiple facilities to optimize transportation efficiency; flow-constrained network design, which addresses the optimization of network flows under constraints such as capacity or time; and robust network design, which aims to enhance network resilience against disruptions or uncertainties.

Finally, Part III focuses on the practical applications of network design in transportation and logistics. Each chapter in this part explores specific transportation systems or logistics challenges and presents innovative solutions using network design techniques. The authors of the chapters are renowned experts in their respective fields, ensuring that the content is both authoritative

reliable and up-to-date.

This book is a valuable resource for analysts, planners, and decision-makers involved in the transportation and logistics industry. It provides a comprehensive understanding of network design principles. It offers practical insights and methodologies for optimizing transportation and logistics systems, enabling professionals to make informed decisions and improve operational efficiency. Whether you are a student, researcher, or practitioner, this book will provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of network design and its applications to transportation and logistics.

Weight: 1027g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030640200
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021