Assessing the benefits of horizontal cooperation in a multimodal Pickup and Delivery Problem with Transshipment points: Model formulation and computational experiments

Details

Supervisors

Tancrez, Jean-Sébastien

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enThis thesis investigates the efficiency gains achievable through horizontal cooperation among logistics providers operating in a multimodal Pickup and Delivery network with Transshipment points and driving time limitations. It addresses a gap in the literature by analysing how shared use of transportation resources and joint route planning can reduce overall transportation costs under realistic operational constraints. To explore this, we develop an optimisation model for the Pickup and Delivery Problem with Transshipment (PDPT), enhanced to integrate multimodal routing and collaborative planning among carriers. We conduct 378 computational experiments, varying parameters such as the number of collaborating logistics providers, shipment volumes, driving time restrictions, transshipment hub configurations, and inland waterway network structures. Outcomes from cooperative and stand-alone scenarios are compared across metrics such as total transportation cost, modal volume share, vehicle fill rates, and distance travelled. A “synergy value” is calculated to express the cost savings attributable to cooperation. The results demonstrate that horizontal cooperation delivers substantial performance improvements. On average, total transportation costs decreased by 23.56%, with savings reaching up to 38.45% in the most favourable scenarios. These benefits tend to increase with the number of collaborating partners, although marginal gains diminish as more participants join. Efficiency improvements are most notable in low-volume environments or under restrictive conditions, such as tight driving time limits or reduced modal access, where the potential for shipment consolidation is highest. In addition, horizontal cooperation also enhances key operational metrics, including higher loading rates and lower empty distances, underscoring the value of shared planning in improving transport utilisation and routing efficiency. From a managerial perspective, the findings offer quantitative support for implementing horizontal cooperation strategies. By pooling shipments and jointly coordinating multimodal flows, providers can reduce costs and improve logistics operations efficiency. This is especially relevant in networks facing fragmented demand and regulatory constraints. Overall, the study provides practical insights into how horizontal collaboration can enhance efficiency across multimodal operations, offering a viable strategy for reducing costs and improving network performance in increasingly complex logistics environments.