Environmental Policy Analysis in Freight Transportation Planning: An Optimality Assessment Approach

In this study, an optimality assessment framework is proposed to assist in freight transportation planning with environmental considerations. In doing so, a multiple-objective optimization model with cost and environmental objectives is constructed. Because of the fact that optimization with several conflicting objectives can only provide solutions with degrees of optimality, in this study, alternative solutions of model are examined in terms of a decision-maker's targets along with local and global environmental requirements. In such an optimality assessment, fuzzy set theory is applied to interpret the satisfaction levels of objectives by using the concept of fuzzy membership function to generate the optimality index of alternative solutions. To illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach, a real-world case study will be presented.