Route Mode Planner (RMP)
RMP is optimization modeling based decision tool that helps to identify ‘k’ shortest or cheapest routes between a set of origin-destination (o-d) pairs. It is useful for a firm to identify the best routes for transportation. Governmental and policy making agencies can use it to optimally plan for expansion/upgrade of transport infrastructure network in a region.
Outputs/Decision variables
RMP's core model is an optimization based heuristic that can quickly calculate the 'k' shortest or cheapest routes for transportation between a set of o-d locations. It can consider both single mode and multiple-mode transport routes. Equipped with a GIS interface, RMP allows easy update of transport network data and user-friendly analysis of results.
Objectives
User has the following choices of objective on which the model performs optimization
- Minimize total transport cost
- Minimize distance travelled
- Minimize average transport lead time
Questions RMP can help answer
- What are the ‘k’ most economical routes for transport between a given set of origin-destination locations?
- Will the solution change if additional tax is applied for cross-border transportation?
- Will the solution change if alternative criteria like distance or lead time are preferred?
- Sensitivity analysis: What is the impact of changes in the following parameters on the ‘k’ best routes solution:
- Handling cost at terminal points
- Cost of mode switching
- Variable transport (fuel and O&M) cost
- Construction of a new mode-link
- Closure of an existing mode-link
