Optimal transport mode for logistics based on the carbon footprint cost and time value

Abstract

This study analyzes the carbon footprint and cost of normal temperature and cold chain logistics The research area includes Yangmei and Taichung in Taiwan the as locations of the export warehouses and Frankfurt in Germany and Xian in China as those of the import warehouses The time cost is as an important factor and this is combined with the operating cost and carbon tax into total cost The transport modes are road transport rail intermodal transport and waterway intermodal transport and these can be combined into 18 scenarios This study uses the SimaPro database and constructs truck train inland vessel and container carbon footprint models based on which the optimal scenarios with the minimum cost and carbon footprint can be provided for the logistics industry The results are as follows: 1 No matter whether normal temperature or cold chain logistics the intermodal transport mode has better environmental performance 2 Large shipping vessels have better environmental performance 3 In Taiwan the rail intermodal transport mode can be used for long distance transport 4 Waterway intermodal transport mode has no advantages for cold chain logistics because of its low speed and high time cost 5 The implementation of a carbon tax can be an effective strategy to promote intermodal transportation especially in cold chain logistics 6 Overall rail intermodal transportation has better environmental and cost advantages than waterway intermodal transportation

Date of Award	2014 Feb 7
Original language	English
Supervisor	Ching-Chih Chang (Supervisor)