Intermodal transportation in India: A system dynamics approach

Abstract

As the economic growth continues, the role played by logistics and transportation sector will gain importance. Increased globalization of trade has led to integration of economies across the world creating a pressure on the intermodal transportation to improve its efficiency and performance. This study aims at analysing and discussing the factors influencing the inter-modal transportation growth and the impact of environment and regulations on the sector. The causal flow diagrams and stock and flow diagrams were prepared to understand the underlying relationships between the different factors and analyse their impact on the intermodal transportation capabilities in the Indian context. The scope of the study was limited to analysing and proposing a conceptual framework for intermodal transportation. The models prepared were then discussed and analysed according to the current inter-modal transportation scenario in India and the impact of different strategies and regulatory reforms that could have on the intermodal transportation capabilities. The factors and issues currently plaguing the inter-modal transportation was also identified and the steps need to be taken in future to improve the intermodal transportation efficiency were also discussed. The causal flow and stock & flow diagrams were used to understand the interplay among all the factors related to the intermodal transportation and their short & long term impact on the same. The study also mentions about the global best practices and the global benchmarking in the intermodal transportation. A comparative analysis of intermodal transportation in India and other developed countries was also done, to identify the key steps taken by those countries to improve the working efficiency of the intermodal transportation in their respective countries. A detailed environment impact analysis of the inter-modal transportation on the world climate was also attempted. The causal flow diagram for CO2 emissions was also modelled and the impact of environment related policy changes was also highlighted. In light of adverse global climatic changes; the study also emphasized on the need of pro-active environmental management to be followed by the multi-national corporations. The simulation strategy for stock flow diagram for intermodal transportation in India was also suggested. The simulation model prepared can be further calibrated with the input data if available. A complete list of input data required for simulating and correcting the model was also provided. The models prepared hence can be used to understand the interplay among the factors which directly or in-directly influence the intermodal transportation. The models were prepared and analysed both at macro and micro level for all the important related factors such as demand, attractiveness of respective transportation modes, environmental impact etc.