The optimal location of dry port: A case study of the hinterland of Western Side of the Taiwan Straits Port Group

How to choose the location for dry port is a practical problem, which becomes more and more important. In this paper, taking the hinterland of Western Side of the Taiwan Straits Port Group as a case studied, we use Fuzzy Clustering to rank alternatives in order to lay out the optimal location of dry port. After studied in the situation of regional economy and transportation, firstly an evaluation index including factors that influence the dry port is set up, and secondly Fuzzy Cluster Analysis is used to select and rank the candidate locations, finally three grades of locations are classified and each one requires different construction strategy. This paper provides a method to optimize the location of dry port, and these results are helpful for accelerate the development of both seaports and dry ports.