Cutting-Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Methods and Models for Optimising Metropolitan Container Transportation

The transportation of shipping containers through major Australian cities is essential to maintain and grow the Australian economy. However, transportation by truck alone is not wholly desirable due to high costs and the impact of congestion and pollution. This thesis examines how trucks and trains may be used together in the setting of major metropolitan areas to efficiently transport shipping containers to and from Australia’s deep sea ports. The mathematical models and computer algorithms developed in this thesis will help to improve the efficiency of metropolitan container transport networks in Australia’s major cities.