Economic and environmental location of logistics integration centers: the Brazilian soybean transportation case

This paper presents a study to locate logistics integration centers (LICs) by applying a capacitated multi-layer location-allocation mathematical model, considering economic (transport and installation costs) and environmental criteria (CO 2 emissions). This model is applied on scenarios that include information of the National Logistics and Transport Plan about soybean transport in Brazil. The economic and environmental gains obtained by the optimized location of LICs are evaluated, indicating savings in both logistics costs (between 22 and 40%) and carbon emissions (between 24 and 38%). The application of the proposed mathematical model supports the decision-makers to elaborate better strategic plans that can improve the utilization of the intermodal transport, making the logistic system operations more efficient, both economically and environmentally.