A mixed integer and multiple objective programming model to analyze coal handling in New England

Mandated electric generation coal conversions in New England could place a severe strain on the coal handling and transportation facilities in New England ports. This paper presents an analytical scheme leading to the development of optimal plans for the reuse and redevelopment of marine transport networks in New England. Utilizing the port inventory that provides information on existing coal handling facilities and the capability of the ports to increase capacity of existing facilities or locating new facilities, a mathematical programming model is used to determine the optimal capacity, placement and railrod and marine interface of coal handling facilities within and between the New England ports and converting power plants.Initially a mixed integer programming model with a least cost objective is formulated. It is then expanded to a multiobjective programming problem in order to provide information to the port planners and decision makers on the tradeoffs between the costs and temporal efficiency of coal transporation and handling for various locational configurations.