Optimizing the Location of Intermodal Freight Hubs: An Overview of the Agent Based Modelling Approach

This paper aims at developing an integral model for the evaluation of road-rail intermodal freight hub location decisions. The model comprises four dominant agents, namely, hub owners or operators; transport network infrastructure providers; hub users; and communities. An agent based modelling approach is introduced to allow such negotiation to happen to achieve a global objective. The paper outlines the methodology to be used. It also presents an initial location selection process, a testing with individual objective functions, and a design for an agent based model using a case study of intermodal freight hub location decisions in South East Queensland of Australia.