Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk Equity

Rail transportation of hazardous material (Hazmat) involves low-probability, and high-consequence risks, requiring strategies that mitigate extreme accident impacts while ensuring fair risk distribution. To address this, we introduce conditional value-at-risk with equity (CVaRE) into railway Hazmats...

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Main Authors: Liping Liu, Shilei Sun, Shuxia Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Mathematics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/5/803
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author Liping Liu
Shilei Sun
Shuxia Li
author_facet Liping Liu
Shilei Sun
Shuxia Li
author_sort Liping Liu
collection DOAJ
description Rail transportation of hazardous material (Hazmat) involves low-probability, and high-consequence risks, requiring strategies that mitigate extreme accident impacts while ensuring fair risk distribution. To address this, we introduce conditional value-at-risk with equity (CVaRE) into railway Hazmats risk assessment, enabling flexible decision-making that balances risk minimization and equity considerations. Unlike conventional models that focus solely on risk reduction, CVaRE incorporates a risk equity goal, ensuring a more balanced distribution of risk across transportation routes. This study develops a novel CVaRE model that replaces fixed threshold constraints with a dynamic risk equity goal, providing greater flexibility in risk distribution adjustments. A k-shortest path-based algorithm was designed to balance extreme risk minimization with equitable risk allocation in route selection. A case study on the Yangtze River Delta railway network validates the model, demonstrating that moderate cost increases can significantly reduce extreme accident risks while achieving fairer risk distribution. Findings also show that direct transportation improves risk equity over transfer-based routes, highlighting the importance of strategic route planning. This research offers practical decision support for transport companies and regulators, helping optimize routes while ensuring cost efficiency and regulatory compliance. It also provides a scientific foundation for risk-equity-based policies, promoting safer, more sustainable Hazmat railway transportation.
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spelling doaj-art-ff058b6a28b74fac8482678a79fdd6942025-08-20T02:52:48ZengMDPI AGMathematics2227-73902025-02-0113580310.3390/math13050803Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk EquityLiping Liu0Shilei Sun1Shuxia Li2School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, ChinaSchool of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, ChinaSchool of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, ChinaRail transportation of hazardous material (Hazmat) involves low-probability, and high-consequence risks, requiring strategies that mitigate extreme accident impacts while ensuring fair risk distribution. To address this, we introduce conditional value-at-risk with equity (CVaRE) into railway Hazmats risk assessment, enabling flexible decision-making that balances risk minimization and equity considerations. Unlike conventional models that focus solely on risk reduction, CVaRE incorporates a risk equity goal, ensuring a more balanced distribution of risk across transportation routes. This study develops a novel CVaRE model that replaces fixed threshold constraints with a dynamic risk equity goal, providing greater flexibility in risk distribution adjustments. A k-shortest path-based algorithm was designed to balance extreme risk minimization with equitable risk allocation in route selection. A case study on the Yangtze River Delta railway network validates the model, demonstrating that moderate cost increases can significantly reduce extreme accident risks while achieving fairer risk distribution. Findings also show that direct transportation improves risk equity over transfer-based routes, highlighting the importance of strategic route planning. This research offers practical decision support for transport companies and regulators, helping optimize routes while ensuring cost efficiency and regulatory compliance. It also provides a scientific foundation for risk-equity-based policies, promoting safer, more sustainable Hazmat railway transportation.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/5/803hazardous materialrailway transportationrisk equityCVaRroute optimization
spellingShingle Liping Liu
Shilei Sun
Shuxia Li
Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk Equity
Mathematics
hazardous material
railway transportation
risk equity
CVaR
route optimization
title Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk Equity
title_full Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk Equity
title_fullStr Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk Equity
title_full_unstemmed Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk Equity
title_short Route Optimization of Hazardous Material Railway Transportation Based on Conditional Value-at-Risk Considering Risk Equity
title_sort route optimization of hazardous material railway transportation based on conditional value at risk considering risk equity
topic hazardous material
railway transportation
risk equity
CVaR
route optimization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/13/5/803
work_keys_str_mv AT lipingliu routeoptimizationofhazardousmaterialrailwaytransportationbasedonconditionalvalueatriskconsideringriskequity
AT shileisun routeoptimizationofhazardousmaterialrailwaytransportationbasedonconditionalvalueatriskconsideringriskequity
AT shuxiali routeoptimizationofhazardousmaterialrailwaytransportationbasedonconditionalvalueatriskconsideringriskequity