Route selection in multimodal transportation networks: a hybrid multiple criteria decision-making approach

The objective of this study is to propose a novel hybrid multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach for route selection in multimodal supply chains. The proposed hybrid MCDM approach integrates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), data envelopment analysis (DEA), and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) to address the problem based on quantitative and qualitative criteria. It utilizes the advantages of each approach, and can reconcile conflicting criteria and divergence of decision makers' judgments to select the most appropriate alternative as well as provide the preferred order of the multimodal routes. Furthermore, an empirical route selection between Thailand and Vietnam is applied to validate the abilities of the proposed hybrid MCDM approach. The new methodological contribution of this study assists decision makers and transport policymakers to design an effective decision support tool for solving transportation and logistical problems in real-world decision-making processes.