Multi-modal transport routing, congestion modelling, and real-time rescheduling as quantum optimisation problems. QUBO formulations across rail, road, sea, and air with classical benchmarks.
Full-day workshop on quantum optimisation for multi-modal transport networks. Covers intermodal routing as QUBO, congestion modelling, real-time rescheduling under disruption, and timetable synchronisation with honest NISQ hardware benchmarks.
Multi-modal transport networks combine rail, road, sea, and air segments into routing problems with time windows, capacity constraints, mode-switching penalties, and stochastic disruptions. These are large-scale combinatorial problems where classical solvers (CPLEX, Gurobi) struggle as network size grows. Quantum computing approaches these through QUBO formulations on time-expanded network graphs. This workshop teaches participants to model intermodal routing problems for quantum hardware, apply QAOA for network flow optimisation, and use quantum annealing for timetable synchronisation across operators. Congestion enters as a stochastic constraint: port queue lengths, rail slot availability, and road traffic density modelled as probabilistic variables. Real-time rescheduling uses hybrid quantum-classical solvers that update route assignments as disruptions occur within operational time windows. Current NISQ hardware limits practical problem sizes to roughly 15-20 nodes after time expansion and QUBO encoding, so the workshop covers hybrid decomposition strategies that split large networks into quantum-solvable subproblems. Quantum-inspired classical alternatives (Toshiba simulated bifurcation, Fujitsu Digital Annealer) are also benchmarked as deployable alternatives for transport-scale instances.
Full Day Workshop structure with scheduled breaks. Content is configurable to your organisation's transport modes, network complexity, and operational priorities.
| # | Session | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multi-Modal Transport as a Combinatorial Problem Why intermodal routing, congestion, and rescheduling are quantum-amenable | |
| 2 | Quantum Algorithms for Transport Network Optimisation QAOA, quantum annealing, and VQE applied to multi-modal networks |
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| Break, after 60 min | ||
| 3 | Congestion Modelling and Real-Time Rescheduling Dynamic optimisation under disruption and uncertainty |
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| 4 | Interactive Demonstration Solving a multi-modal routing problem across three transport modes |
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| Break, after 90 min | ||
| 5 | NISQ Hardware Constraints and Scaling Limits Honest assessment of current quantum devices for transport-scale problems |
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| 6 | Integration with Transport Management Systems Connecting quantum solvers to operational TMS platforms | |
| 7 | Q&A and Action Planning | |
Workshops are designed and delivered by QSECDEF in collaboration with sector specialists. All facilitators have direct experience in both quantum technologies and logistics systems.
Workshop design and delivery
QSECDEF brings world-leading expertise in post-quantum cryptography, quantum computing strategy, and defence-grade security assessment. Our advisory membership spans 600+ organisations and 1,200+ professionals working at the intersection of quantum technologies and critical infrastructure security.
Domain expertise and operational validation
Logistics workshops are co-delivered with sector specialists who bring direct operational experience in logistics organisations. This ensures workshop content is grounded in regulatory, operational, and technical realities specific to the sector.
Sessions are configured around your transport modes, network geography, disruption patterns, and existing optimisation infrastructure. Get in touch to discuss requirements and schedule a date.
Contact UsQuantum technologies are evolving quickly and new developments emerge regularly. This page was last updated on 15/03/2026. For the most current information about course content and suitability for your organisation, we recommend contacting us directly.
