A Comprehensive Analysis Perspective on Path Optimization of Multimodal Electric Transportation Vehicles: Problems, Models, Methods and Future Research Directions

Abstract

Multimodal transport refers to the integrated transportation in a logistics system in the form of multiple transportation modes, such as highway, railway, waterway, etc. In recent years, the deep integration of electric trucks and route optimization has significantly improved the cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency of multimodal transportation. It has provided strong support for the sustainable development of the logistics system. Based on whether to consider low-carbon requirements, uncertainty, and special cargo transportation, the literature is divided into five areas: traditional multimodal transport path optimization, multimodal transport path optimization considering low-carbon requirements, multimodal transport path optimization considering uncertainty, multimodal transport path optimization considering low-carbon requirements and uncertainty, and multimodal transport path optimization considering special transport needs. In this paper, we searched the literature on multimodal path optimization after 2016 in WOS (Web of Science) and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and found that the number of publications in 2024 is three times that in 2016. We collected 130 relevant studies to summarize the current state of research. Finally, with the development of multimodal transport to collaborative transport and the improvement of the application of in-depth learning in different fields, the research mainly focuses on two future research directions: collaborative transport and the use of in-depth learning to solve uncertain problems, and combining it with the problem of multimodal transport route optimization to explore more efficient and perfect transport solutions.