Design and operation of intermodal transportation network in the Marmara region of Turkey

•Modeling bi-objective mixed-integer linear optimization problem.•Considering traffic congestion in intermodal transportation problem.•Using augmented ∊-constraint method for solving problem.•Analysis of Marmara region of Turkey from real data.•Generating the Pareto solutions for transportation policy/decision makers. This paper presents a multi-objective optimization model for integrating different transportation modes in the design and operation of an intermodal transportation network in a geographical region. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer optimization problem that accounts for time and congestion dependent vehicle speeds. We present modeling approach, data analysis and outline the important characteristics of the mathematical programming problem for minimization of transportation cost and time simultaneously by using the augmented ∊-constraint method. The proposed approach is illustrated on a real world case using data from Marmara region where approximately 50% industrial goods and services in Turkey are produced.