Search Results (94)

Waterborne transportation serves as a critical pillar of trunk-line freight systems, offering unparalleled advantages in transport capacity, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. As cargo throughput demands escalate, optimizing lock capacity becomes imperative. This study investigates ship sinkage dynamics through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for a representative inland cargo vessel navigating the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River. We develop a predictive sinkage model that integrates four key hydrodynamic parameters: ship velocity, draft, water depth, and bank clearance, applicable to both open shallow water and lockage conditions. The model enables determination of maximum safe drafts for lock transit by analyzing upstream/downstream water levels and corresponding chamber depths. Our results demonstrate the technical feasibility of enhancing single-lock cargo capacity while maintaining safety margins. These findings provide (1) a scientifically grounded framework for draft control optimization, and (2) actionable insights for lock operation management. The study establishes a methodological foundation for balancing navigational safety with growing throughput requirements in constrained waterways. Full article

Inland waterway transport (IWT) is a key function of river systems worldwide. It is vulnerable to climate change, specifically to discharge extremes, and competes for water with multiple other functions. A clear framework describing its interests to inform decision-making during regular conditions as well as during climate extremes is as yet unavailable in the literature. To address this gap we examine how inland shipping is taken into account in waterway policies in the Netherlands. We apply the frame of reference method to ‘objectify’ current inland waterway transport (IWT) policies, addressing the themes of waterway capacity, safety, service level, and sustainability. By ‘objectifying’ we mean turning the implicit into an explicit ‘object’ of study on the one hand and revealing underlying ‘objectives’ on the other. We show that policies for waterway capacity and service level are well developed, while waterway safety policies are more implicit, and waterway resilience lacks a quantitative decision framework. We furthermore show that current policies mainly focus on regular conditions, leaving it unclear what changes under extreme river discharge conditions. The results provide important insights into shipping-related decision challenges during climate extremes, highlighting aspects that should be developed further to improve the climate resilience of inland shipping. While some of these implications are specific to the Dutch case, the method applied here can also be used for other river systems that support multiple functions. Full article

This paper examines the feasibility of transitioning road cargo to waterborne transport in the UK, aiming to reduce emissions and alleviate road congestion. Key objectives include (1) developing a modal shift technology to establish freight highways across the UK, (2) designing a small, decarbonized barge vessel concept that complements the logistics framework, and (3) assessing the economic and environmental viability of a multimodal logistics network. Using discrete event simulation (DES), four transportation scenarios were analyzed to evaluate the efficiency and sustainability of integrating coastal and inland waterways into the logistics framework. Results indicate that waterborne transport is more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than road transport. A sweeping design study was conducted to optimize time, cost, and emissions. This model was applied to a case study, providing insights into optimal pathways for transitioning to waterborne freight by finding the optimized number of TEUs. Consequently, our study identified 96 TEUs as the optimal capacity to initiate barge design, balancing cost, time, and emissions, while 126 TEUs emerged as the best option for scalability. Findings offer critical guidance for supporting the UK’s climate goals and governmental policies by advancing sustainable transportation solutions. Full article

Background: The transportation of petroleum products via multimodal logistics systems is a complex process subject to operational inefficiencies and elevated risk exposure. The efficient and resilient transportation of petroleum products increasingly depends on multimodal logistics systems, where operational risks and process inefficiencies can significantly impact safety and performance. This study addresses the research question of how an integrated risk-based and workflow-driven approach can enhance the management of oil products logistics in complex port environments. Methods: A dual methodological framework was applied at the Port of Midia, Romania, combining a probabilistic risk assessment model, quantifying incident probability, infrastructure vulnerability, and exposure, with dynamic business process modeling (BPM) using specialized software. The workflow simulation replicated real-world multimodal oil operations across maritime, rail, road, and inland waterway segments. Results: The analysis identified human error, technical malfunctions, and environmental hazards as key risk factors, with an aggregated major incident probability of 2.39%. BPM simulation highlighted critical bottlenecks in customs processing, inland waterway lock transit, and road tanker dispatch. Process optimizations based on simulation insights achieved a 25% reduction in operational delays. Conclusions: Integrating risk assessment with dynamic workflow modeling provides an effective methodology for improving the resilience, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of multimodal oil logistics operations. This approach offers practical guidance for port operators and contributes to advancing risk-informed logistics management in the petroleum supply chain. Full article

The Grand Canal serves as a vital water transportation route, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and an ecological corridor. It is currently undergoing coordinated transformation through infrastructure development, heritage preservation, and ecological restoration. However, existing research has primarily focused on either cultural heritage conservation or localized ecological issues, with limited attention to the spatial relationship between landscape patterns and ecological quality along the entire corridor. To address this gap, this study examines eight sections of the Grand Canal and develops a gradient analysis framework based on equidistant buffer zones. The framework integrates the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) with landscape pattern indices to assess ecological responses across spatial gradients. A Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model is applied to reveal the spatially heterogeneous effects of landscape patterns on ecological quality. From 2013 to 2023, landscape patterns showed a trend toward increasing agglomeration and regularity. This is indicated by a rise in the Aggregation Index (AI) from 91.24 to 91.38 and declines in both patch density (PD) from 8.45 to 8.20 and Landscape Shape Index (LSI) from 199.74 to 196.72. During the same period, ecological quality slightly declined, with RSEI decreasing from 0.66 to 0.57. The effects of PD and Shannon’s Diversity Index (SHDI) on ecological quality varied across canal sections. In highly urbanized areas such as the Tonghui River, these indices were positively correlated with ecological quality, whereas in less urbanized areas like the Huitong River, negative correlations were observed. Overall, the strength of these correlations tended to weaken with increasing buffer distance. This study provides a scientific foundation for the integrated development of ecological protection and spatial planning along the Grand Canal and offers theoretical insights for the refined management of other major inland waterways. Full article

The Pinglu Canal, China’s first strategic river–sea transport canal, connects the inland waterway trunk line with the Beibu Gulf International Hub Port, while a diversion channel extension is needed for port development. This study proposed a comparative study of extension routes to Fangchenggang through qualitative analysis and quantitative modeling. Eventually, Route 4 is selected considering the engineering feasibility, ecological impact, and hydrodynamic modeling. It yields the lowest engineering cost, effectively bypasses the ecological protection red lines and cultural heritage areas, and only intersects the controllable ecological restoration zones in a limited manner. Hydrodynamic results show moderate tidal velocities, with maximum rising and falling speeds of 0.72–0.80 m/s and 0.72–0.86 m/s, respectively. The sediment deposition intensity (0.06 m/a) and total volume (58,600 m³/a) are generally lower than the other alternatives. The comparative study shares useful insights into canal route selection and would support the sustainable development of the logistics transportation system in Southwest China. Full article

Serving as critical sustainable transportation infrastructure, inland waterways provide dual socioeconomic and ecological value by (1) facilitating high-efficiency freight logistics through cost-effective bulk cargo transport while stimulating regional economic growth, and (2) delivering essential ecosystem services including flood regulation, water resource preservation, and biodiversity conservation. This study establishes a stakeholder-centered risk assessment framework to enhance decision-making of waterway engineering projects and promote the sustainable development of Inland Waterway Transport. We propose a three-layer approach: (1) identifying key stakeholders in the decision-making stage of waterway engineering projects through multi-dimensional criteria; (2) listing and classifying decision-making risks from the perspectives of managers, users, and other stakeholders; (3) applying the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) to prioritize key risks and proposing a risk assessment model based on fuzzy reasoning theory to evaluate decision-making risks under uncertain conditions. This framework was applied to the Yangtze River Trunk Line Wuhan–Anqing Waterway Regulation Project. The results show that the risk ranking is managers, users, and other stakeholders, among which the risk of engineering freight demand is particularly prominent. This suggests that we need to pay attention to optimizing material transportation and operational organization, promote the development of large-scale ships, and realize the diversification of ship types and transportation organizations. This study combines fuzzy reasoning with stakeholder theory, providing a replicable tool for the Waterway Management Authority to address the complex sustainability challenges in global waterway development projects. Full article

Inland water transport, a critical component of integrated transportation systems, relies on the unobstructed status of critical waterways to ensure network efficiency. Firstly, a weighted topological network was constructed based on waterway class and length. The Leiden algorithm was then employed to divide the inland waterway network into communities, with community bridges identified as critical waterways. Finally, attack simulation experiments were conducted to verify the methodology. Results revealed that the Jiangsu inland waterway network exhibits a distinct community structure, and the regional division is closely aligned with the actual river system. The rapid performance degradation under community bridge attacks confirmed the validity of the critical waterway identification method. Furthermore, a recommended method for waterway class assignment was explored in the inland waterway weighting network. The innovative identification and assessment of critical waterways from the perspective of community detection breaks through the limitations of traditional methods that rely on betweenness centrality and waterway class. Vessel traffic flow across different waterway classes was analyzed using the Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, enabling tailored management strategies for critical waterways. This research provides theoretical support for an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the inland waterway network, guiding policymaking and promoting the efficiency and security of inland water transport. Full article

Regional comprehensive transportation infrastructures constitute the fundamental basis for the development of inland urban agglomerations. To elucidate the role of comprehensive transportation in shaping the spatial organization and expansion of urban agglomerations, this study takes the Yangtze River Middle Reaches Urban Agglomeration (YRMRUA) as a case example. It examines the spatial relationships between transportation network layout and spatial expansion patterns using fractal dimension based on traffic accessibility, traffic-weighted linear density, and Pearson correlation analysis. The key findings of this study are as follows: (1) The YRMRUA exhibits a partial fractal growth pattern influenced by transportation development, which indicates that the comprehensive transportation has a significant but limited impact on YRMRUA. (2) There is a moderate correlation between traffic-weighted linear density and spatial expansion intensity within YRMRUA. (3) Specific groups such as the Wuhan–Ezhou–Huanggang–Huangshi group, Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan group, and Nanchang–Yichun group have formed in areas where transportation development and spatial expansion are at the forefront. (4) Different modes of transportation, including waterway transportation, railway transportation, and road transportation, have varying effects on spatial expansion. The integration of these modes forms the fundamental framework of urban agglomerations. Full article

Inland waterway transport faces increasing recognition as a sustainable alternative to conventional transport modes, particularly due to its lower environmental impact and higher efficiency. However, its implementation remains limited in many regions, including Romania, despite substantial potential benefits. This study addresses this gap by assessing the Bucharest–Danube Canal as a strategic infrastructure project capable of supporting Romania’s transition to sustainable transport, aligned with the European Green Deal and the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Employing a structured methodological approach, this research includes a comprehensive literature review and detailed analysis of successful European inland waterway transport projects, systematically correlating findings with specific Sustainable Development Goals. The results illustrate clear relationships between the selected case studies and the targeted goals, highlighting approaches for integrating sustainability into waterway infrastructure. Specifically, the study identifies effective guidelines applicable to Romania and emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive, multi-dimensional planning approach that exploits the canal’s multifunctional capabilities beyond transportation, encompassing agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, and biodiversity conservation. In conclusion, despite historical and current challenges, the Bucharest–Danube Canal represents a strategic opportunity for Romania, promising significant contributions toward achieving national and regional sustainability objectives. Full article

Inland waterway transportation is critical for the movement of hazardous liquid cargoes. To prevent contamination when transporting different types of liquids, certain shipments necessitate tank cleaning at designated stations between tasks. This process often requires detours, which can decrease operational efficiency. This study addresses the Tank Cleaning Station Location and Cleaning Task Assignment (TCSL-CTA) problem, with the objective of minimizing total system costs, including the construction and operational costs of tank cleaning stations, as well as the detour costs incurred by ships visiting these stations. We formulate the problem as a mixed-integer programming (MIP) model and prove that it can be reformulated into a partially relaxed MIP model, preserving optimality while enhancing computational efficiency. We further analyze key mathematical properties, showing that the assignment constraint matrix is totally unimodular, enabling efficient relaxation, and that the objective function exhibits submodularity, reflecting diminishing returns in facility investment. A case study on the Yangtze River confirms the model’s effectiveness, where the optimized plan resulted in detour costs accounting for only 5.2% of the total CNY 4.23 billion system cost and achieved an 89.1% average station utilization. Managerial insights reveal that early construction and balanced capacity allocation significantly reduce detour costs. This study provides a practical framework for long-term tank cleaning infrastructure planning, contributing to cost-effective and sustainable inland waterway logistics. Full article

This article presents a sector-specific digital maturity model (DMM) to assess digital transformation in inland waterway transport (IWT). Inland waterway transport plays a crucial yet underutilized role, and digitalization can enhance its efficiency, safety, and competitiveness. This study proposes a structured model to evaluate digital maturity in four key areas: (i) Customer Area: manages orders and cargo handling, (ii) System Management and Compliance: covers documentation and regulatory processes, (iii) Ship Maintenance: shifts from reactive to predictive maintenance, and (iv) Operational Management: enhances navigation and communication. The model uses a five-level maturity scale, assessing technological adoption and operational efficiency. It is validated through the assessment of two European inland waterway transport systems: the Oder and the Rhine. The analysis shows that the Rhine system has higher digital maturity, particularly in customer service and system management, while both systems exhibit similar gaps in operational ship maintenance. The results demonstrate that the model can be used as both a benchmarking tool and roadmap for digital transformation. The study underscores the need for continuous technological advancements and contributes to both academic research and practical applications in transport system digitalization. Full article

Freight mode choice and the resulting inventory implications significantly influence a product’s carbon footprint. This paper investigates mode selection under a voluntary carbon emissions constraint. Slower modes such as inland waterways and ocean freight are less expensive and emit less greenhouse gas (GHG), but they require higher inventory levels due to longer lead times. In contrast, faster modes like less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping reduce inventory needs but incur higher transportation costs and emissions. Mode choice thus involves trade-offs between transport cost, inventory holding, lead time uncertainty, and GHG emissions from transportation and warehousing. This paper develops a comprehensive inventory-transportation model under the stochastic demand and lead time to evaluate these trade-offs and guide sustainable freight decisions. The model is a practical toolbox that enables managers to evaluate how freight mode choice and inventory policy affect costs and emissions under different operational scenarios and carbon constraints. Full article

Efficient ship scheduling in inland waterways is critical for maritime transportation safety and economic viability. However, traditional scheduling methods, primarily based on First Come First Served (FCFS) principles, often produce suboptimal results due to their inability to account for complex spatial–temporal dependencies, directional asymmetries, and varying ship characteristics. This paper introduces SSRL (Ship Scheduling through Reinforcement Learning), a novel framework that addresses these limitations by integrating three complementary components: (1) a Q-learning framework that discovers optimal scheduling policies through environmental interaction rather than predefined rules; (2) a clustering mechanism that reduces the high-dimensional state space by grouping similar ship states; and (3) a sliding window approach that decomposes the scheduling problem into manageable subproblems, enabling real-time decision-making. We evaluated SSRL through extensive experiments using both simulated scenarios and real-world data from the Xiaziliang Restricted Waterway in China. Results demonstrate that SSRL reduces total ship waiting time by 90.6% compared with TSRS, 48.4% compared with FAHP-ES, and 32.6% compared with OSS-SW, with an average reduction of 57.2% across these baseline methods. SSRL maintains superior performance across varying traffic densities and uncertainty conditions, with the optimal information window length of 13–14 ships providing the best balance between solution quality and computational efficiency. Beyond performance improvements, SSRL offers significant practical advantages: it requires minimal computation for online implementation, adapts to dynamic maritime environments without manual reconfiguration, and can potentially be extended to other complex transportation scheduling domains. Full article

As a critical intervention for enhancing inland navigation efficiency, waterway regulation projects profoundly modify riverine hydrodynamic conditions while optimizing navigability. This study employs the MIKE21 hydrodynamic model to establish a two-dimensional numerical framework for assessing hydrological alterations induced by channel regulation in the Hui River, China. Through comparative simulations of pre- and post-project scenarios across dry, normal, and wet hydrological years, the research quantifies impacts on water levels, flow velocity distribution, and geomorphic stability. Results reveal that channel dredging and realignment reduced upstream water levels by up to 0.26 m during drought conditions, while concentrating flow velocities in the main channel by 0.5 m/s. However, localized hydrodynamic restructuring triggered bank erosion risks at cut-off bends and sedimentation in anchorage basins. The integrated analysis demonstrates that although regulation measures enhance flood conveyance and navigation capacity, they disrupt sediment transport equilibrium, destabilize riparian ecosystems, and compromise hydrological monitoring consistency. To mitigate these trade-offs, the study proposes design optimizations—including ecological revetments and adaptive dredging strategies—coupled with enhanced hydrodynamic monitoring and riparian habitat restoration. These findings provide a scientific foundation for balancing navigation improvements with the sustainable management of fluvial systems. Full article