Another problem space that defines fleet management in its own way is Rail and intermodal transport. This is a complex system composed by different transport networks, infrastructures, different transport means and operators, such as dryage operators, terminal operators, network operators and others. Intermodal means there are lots of decision makers who must work in a coordinated manner for the system to run smoothly. If intermodal transport is to be developed, it will require more decision-making support tools to assist the decision-makers and stakeholders.

For example, the operational level involves the day-to-day management decisions about the load order of trains and barges, redistribution of railcars or push barges and load units. The fleet comprises of load units. The assignment of a set of trailers and containers to the available flatcars that can move the equipment is a classic problem in this space. Routing involves a lot  more than that. While the minimum cost path algorithm was common to road network, in this case, the routing decision is a mere modal choice problem for specific trajectories between beginning and end points and involving specific freight volumes and specific time constraints.

Container transportation is a major component of intermodal transportation carried out by a combination of truck, rail and ocean shipping. Fleet management covers  the whole range of planning and management issues from procurement of power units and vehicles to vehicle dispatch and scheduling of crews and maintenance operations. But rail transport is characterized by different kinds of trains travelling on the network and the subdivision of resources between passenger and freight trains. The train scheduling and routing must consider their timetables.

When train operations are perturbed, a new conflict free timetable must be recomputed such that the deviation from the original must be minimized. This scheduling problem is modeled with an alternative graph formulation and a branch and bound algorithm is developed. Some approaches use an integrated framework which deals with signal layout optimization, train scheduling optimization at microscopic level, and others.