Development of a tool to enhance freight transport efficiency through multimodal route optimization in Germany

Abstract

This work develops a tool to optimise freight transport routes within Germany by integrating road and rail networks into a multimodal framework. Using open-access data from Open- StreetMap, the project constructs a weighted graph in which each edge is assigned a distance, a transport cost, a travel time, and an emission factor, depending on the network to which it belongs. Dijkstra’s algorithm is implemented to determine the optimal path between selected origin–destination pairs under different criteria: cost, time, and environmental impact. The methodology includes data acquisition, network preprocessing, and the design of mul- timodal transfer points. Validation tests demonstrate that the tool is capable of generating feasible multimodal routes. Performance analyses highlight a clear tendency towards rail-based solutions in cost- and emissions-optimisation scenarios, whereas time minimisation tends to produce road-based itineraries. A sensitivity analysis of rail fixed costs further illustrates the adaptability of the model to different economic contexts. The results confirm the potential of graph-based optimisation tools to support logistics decision- making. Although limitations arise from OpenStreetMap data quality and simplifying assump- tions regarding operations, the tool provides a replicable framework for multimodal route optimisation. Future research could extend the approach by incorporating international net- works and accounting for real-world constraints such as timetables and capacity restrictions.

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