Classification of Damages of Palletized Loads in Road Transport and Its Impact on Environmental Protection

Abstract

Cargo damage in extreme situations may threaten the safety of people participating in the further stages of the transport task in the distribution chain. Regardless of this, the damage also affects the unplanned extension of the delivery time or even prevents its further execution. The final and inevitable consequence is unplanned additional costs that will be charged to the shipper preparing the cargo for shipment. Additional costs will be incurred, direct (materials for repackaging and load securing, fuel, tolls, insurance) and indirect costs (carbon footprint of the materials produced and the fuel used by vehicles, increased traffic congestion, and the safety of road users). Their consequence will be an unnecessary increase in the pollution of the natural human environment. The article presents the classification of damage to palletised loads. The correctness of the proposed classification was to be achieved by analysing the results of surveys and broadly understood consultations with business entities dealing with the damage to palletised loads daily. The small number of completed questionnaires indicates the need to develop a new, less detailed questionnaire and a possible simplification of the proposed classification of damage to palletised loads. Based on the numerous discussions and meetings held during the consultations regarding the quantity and quality of cargo damage, it can be concluded that this is a very complex, sensitive topic. Literature review studies can confirm it, including industry studies and published statistical data. It is practically difficult to determine the size of damage to palletised loads in road transport. The proposed classification of damage to palletised loads allows for the definition of dangers, difficulties and, consequently, direct and indirect costs of transport, which can be remedied, and certainly significantly reduced. Minimising damaged and destroyed loads result in both a reduction of the direct costs of damaged products and a secondary reduction in the consumption of natural resources of the environment necessary to re-manufacture damaged or destroyed products. It also contributes to reducing the carbon footprint, an important issue, especially nowadays.