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Factors and methods on which the choice of transport depends
Factors that characterize the transported goods.
- The size, weight, and shape of the transported goods – these factors play an important role in the utilization of the vehicle’s load capacity and in the cost per unit of transported cargo.
- Another key factor is the value of the goods.
Factors that relate to the client.
- The distance between the supplier and the client and the accessibility of the unloading location
- The size of the order and the timeframe for its fulfillment
- The risk of damage to the goods during transportation
- The technology used in loading and unloading operations
- The quality of after-sales service
Factors that relate to the client.
These factors also play an important role in the choice of transport mode and the formation of transport costs. They relate to the infrastructure, road, and climatic characteristics of the delivery route. After analyzing these three groups of factors, operational decisions can be made regarding the choice of transport mode. These decisions must take into account the specifics of:
- The activity of the chosen supplier – how reliable the relationship with them will be; the options they provide for reliable and efficient delivery of goods; their financial policy and customer service policy
- Financial capabilities – these are crucial for structuring the transport of goods correctly; the main goal here is to choose a financing model for deliveries that does not significantly affect logistics costs; the available financial resources determine whether own or rented transport will be used
- The number of delivery points – determining how many points the goods must be delivered to, in order to optimize the volume and value of the delivery and achieve the lowest possible total distribution costs
- The method of transportation – this choice must be consistent both with the required resources and with the factors that influence the selection of the type of transport
Changes may occur in the influence of the factors that determine the choice of transport mode for specific shipments. This makes it necessary to build a control system to monitor the status of these factors – i.e., the system must track the environment in which the delivery takes place, the volume of goods transported, the loading and unloading technology, and, if necessary, enable operational decisions to adjust actions.
Methods for choosing the mode of transport
Once the factors influencing the choice of transport mode have been identified and evaluated, an appropriate method must be selected for the specific type of shipment. The applicable methods are:
- Mathematical models. These allow modeling of the transport possibilities in accordance with changes in the parameters of the distribution system.
- Expert judgment method. This involves first identifying the main groups of factors affecting a given type of transport. These factors are then subjected to detailed analysis to assess their influence on the use of the respective mode of transport. The main drawback of this method is that some factors may be consciously or unconsciously overlooked, which could significantly affect the correct choice of transport.
- Cost comparison method. This method evaluates the achievement of savings in total distribution (logistics) costs based on the selection of the transport mode that can ensure the lowest transport expenses for the goods.
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