Multi-objective optimization of cost and time in freight transportation along the Apapa-Agbara industrial corridor
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supply chain, Intermodal Transport, optimization, Trade-off, freight transportation
Abstract
This study examined freight transportation optimization within a typical global South industrial corridor (Apapa-Agbara industrial corridor) in Nigeria by simultaneously minimizing the total cost and the total time for freight delivery. A Multi-Objective Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MOMILP) framework based on the weighted-sum approach was developed to evaluate freight allocation across road, waterway, and intermodal transport systems. The model structure comprises six variables and six constraints. Unconstrained single-mode analysis of the 255-ton weekly demand highlighted the inherent supply chain trade-off where the road mode was fastest at 1.59 hours but most expensive at ₦363,158 and the waterway mode was the cheapest at ₦226,248 but slowest at 2.84 hours. The optimal solution was an intermodal approach combining road and waterway transport. This strategy achieved a total cost of ₦291,826.09 and a total delivery time of 2.11 hours, yielding a combined objective value of 0.5419. The study conclusively reiterated that the choice of intermodal transport option was effective in balancing the trade-off between cost and time by avoiding the high costs associated with the sole road mode and also reducing the substantial time delays associated with transit peculiar to the waterway mode.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ifeoluwa Oyetoro, Johnpaul Meranda, Adeniyi Oluwakoya, Adeyinka Ajayi
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