A Novel Model for the Synchromodal Hub Location Problem

Articles in Press

Authors

1 Department of Industrial Engineering, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 School of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/aie.2025.391393.1940

Abstract

With advancements in technology and growing customer demand, the optimal design of hub networks in distribution systems, along with flow synchronization across the entire network, play a critical role in reducing costs and enhancing overall efficiency. These networks significantly contribute to optimizing delivery times and improving responsiveness to customer needs, particularly in the transportation of time-sensitive goods. This study develops a mixed-integer linear programming model for the synchromodal hub location problem. We synchronize the flow throughout the entire network, which consists of origin points, a sender hub, a receiver hub, and demand points. To replicate real-world conditions, we also consider the synchronization of product flow within the distribution hub distribution networks. The proposed model aims to minimize the total cost, which includes transportation costs, operational costs across the distribution network, fixed costs of establishing Hubs and deploying vehicles, and potential penalties incurred as a result of failures to meet customer demand in terms of quantity and timeliness. To aggregate long-, mid-, and short-term decisions, we examine several decisions across different time periods. These decisions include the incomplete hub location problem, the service network design problem involving the scheduling of all network nodes, the synchronization of shipment flows in an intermodal transportation system, as well as integration and sorting operations on all components of the hub distribution network. The model's performance is assessed using data from an actual case study in the Iranian food industry. We conduct various sensitivity analyses on key parameters of the problem and present the numerical findings.

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Advances in Industrial Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 April 2025

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