Case Study: University of Canterbury achieves a low-carbon freight network design with AnyLogic

Optimizing Freight Transport Systems in New Zealand

The University of Canterbury needed a better way to design a low-carbon future freight system in New Zealand, since existing freight models were limited by scarce data, weak logistics components, and a focus on cost and travel time over environmental impact. Using AnyLogic, the researcher built a new modeling framework to test what government investment could best improve the country’s freight supply chain.

AnyLogic implemented a multimethod solution combining freight distribution, GIS-based network design, and discrete-event simulation. The model helped evaluate rail and intermodal scenarios, showing that double tracking could cut round-trip times by about 500 minutes and that a fully intermodal setup could reduce urban congestion, energy use, and greenhouse gases by 48% and 47%, respectively.

University of Canterbury

Patricio Gallardo

University of Canterbury