The two-stage joint decision-making model of multi-objective path selection and flow allocation in multimodal network

With the deep integration of the global economy and the continuous expansion of trade networks, multimodal transport has garnered increasing attention for its efficient and flexible transportation characteristics. In this paper, within a multimodal transport network composed of rail, air, and road transport, we study the joint decision-making problem of path selection and flow distribution for freight transportation demands between multiple origin-destination (OD) pairs, framing it as a two-stage optimization problem. By constructing a multi-objective optimization for freight path selection, that aims to develop transportation schemes that comprehensively consider both transportation costs and time. Besides, a network equilibrium model for freight flow distribution is employed to allocate freight volumes along paths between multiple OD pairs, thereby optimizing the overall freight plan. The economic feasibility and practicality of this model are validated through an improved Nguyen-Dupuis network and a case study of freight transport network in mainland China.