Models for multimode multicommodity location problems with interdepot balancing requirements

The authors present the problem of locating vehicle deposits in an intercity freight transportation system with the objective of satisfying client demand for empty vehicles, while minimizing depot opening and operating costs, bidirectional client-depot transportation costs, as well as the costs of the interdepot movements necessary to counter the unbalancing of demand. They propose a class of models which has the form of a two-echelon multimode multicommodity location formulation with interdepot balancing requirements. The authors analyse the models and their properties to determine their underlying structure and characteristics to be used in subsequent algorithmic developments.