Coordination of core European supply chains using Optimization

In the first 18 months of the project we basically achieved all the major objectives of the project. So, in the final 6 months we decided to push this a bit beyond the scope and implement a prototype of the dispatching tool for the dispatchers at Narvik. We finally put the prototype in operation at Narvik control center in February 2018. In particular, we installed a dedicated PC with an interface with the dispatchers. The program runs on a server at Sintef Oslo, fetching input data in real-time from various sources. A new optimization run is carried out every ten seconds. The dispatchers can see the result of the optimization represented in a classical train-graph. They can then use the suggestions from the system to make their decisions, Through the dedicated interface, dispatchers can communicate with the system. In addition, in order to facilitate the debugging and upgrading of the system and of the model, dispatchers can express their impressions or criticisms through suitable windows. Currently, commissioning is ongoing and some issues need still to be solved. A major issue concern the reliability of the real-time data. We did not get the credentials yet to access the most reliable real-time sources and we are waiting for the credentials from the Infrastructure Manager. Even though the model and the algorithms work perfectly fine in our off-line tests with historical data, the lack of reliable real-time data leads to non-satisfactory real-time solutions. However, during the final project meeting, we agreed with the infrastructure manager to extend our activities beyond the natural deadline and complete the commissioning phase.

This are the results for the Norwegian consortium - The system can bring several benefits: 1. Improved operations on the iron-ore line. 2. Reduced workload for dispatchers 3. Better international coordination (with Sweden) 4. Provide a benchmark for a dispatching system for the entire Norwegian network currently under development.

Efficient and environmentally friendly transports are of utmost importance for Europe. The CO2REOPT project aims at optimizing core supply chains by developing decision support systems for the coordination and synchronization of transports from a supply chain perspective. The consortium includes industrial and academic partners from Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands. The transports in multimodal transport corridors typically involve several transport operators, each having their own agenda and objectives. Operators optimize their own subsystem, while it is of utmost importance to optimize the whole transport corridor. Multimodal supply chains often follow fixed timetables for the individual transports in the chain. This approach results in e.g. waiting for the next scheduled transport, leading to longer transportation times and storage costs. Upstream delays and disruptions accumulated in the logistics chain lead to further delays and low punctuality. Approaches to remedy the situation are to generate robust timetables capable to accommodate uncertainties (to a given extent), to support dynamic replanning of timetables, and have active disruption management. In CO2REOPT, the robust and dynamic replanning of timetables, optimal disruption management, and design of cross-border synchromodal transport chains, will be studied from a supply chain perspective so to 1) adapt timetables to the supply prediction at the origin, the demand at the destinations, and the hub conditions and storage predictions underway, while taking fleet availability and transport leg balance in consideration, and to 2) design optimal cross-border synchromodal transport services. Two relevant cases will be analyzed: the main European iron ore corridor, by railway from Kiruna and Narvik, by ship from Narvik to Rotterdam, and by by rail from Rotterdam to central Europe, and 2) the Samskip services between Norway, Sweden, and various locations in Europe via the ports of Rotterdam and Duisburg.