Empty Containers Distribution among Railway Network Container Freight Stations

Aiming at the integrated optimization of time, distance and cost of mixed container flow, we merged the empties distributing and routing of loaded containers into a mixed multi-objective non-linear integer static optimization model, so as to achieve the cooperated optimization. With adoption of systematic optimization theory, we devised a double coupling feedback system, whose couplers are the capacity constraint and convection constraint, to simulate the optimizing process. The system was transformed to the double series feedback system by splitting the capacity restriction with the use of Mathieus theorem. The both optimum solutions exist, and algorithms are relatively mature. The optimizing strategy lies in the sequential iteration of the two subsystems. Finally, the solving steps of the cooperated optimization model of container flow are put forward.