Reduce Transportation Costs Research Articles

Comparative Assessments of At-Sea and Inland Low- and Medium-Pressure CO2 Transport

Developing cost-efficient systems for transporting CO2 is key to accelerating the deployment of carbon capture and storage. The present work explores the impact of reducing the pressure of tank-based inland and at-sea transport on their techno-economic performance. The study uses established techno-economic models for CO2 transport, adjusted with the most up-to-date knowledge on the costs of low-pressure containment and transport. In particular, the impact of cargo tank material and design on the transport costs show that low-pressure cargo tank systems can be 50% less expensive than medium-pressure systems if materials with similar price and strength can be used. This results in reductions in transport costs as high as 30% for long distances. This is partly driven by the currently suggested size limitation on medium-pressure shipping that limits its economies of scale. If this limitation is alleviated, the cost advantage of low-pressure shipping compared to medium-pressure is more limited (10–20%) although it remains advantageous. The same scaling effects on capacity were not found for truck and barge inland transport, thus yielding 1–10% cost reductions of low-pressure transport relative to medium-pressure transport. These results imply that future systems may combine medium-pressure inland and low-pressure at-sea transport and that efficient solutions connecting the two must be investigated.

Research on Low-Carbon Site Selection Decision Model and Algorithm for Green Logistics

This work proposes a low-carbon site selection decision model and algorithm for green logistics. The focus is to minimize carbon emissions while optimizing the distribution network. With the development of smart shared logistics and increasing environmental awareness, there is an urgent need to tackle issues in urban logistics, including pollution, resource inefficiency, high carbon energy usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. By integrating geographic, environmental, and operational data, the proposed site selection model incorporates multi-objective optimization to balance carbon efficiency with cost-effectiveness in logistics site selection. We employ a hybrid algorithm combining Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to solve the complex decision-making process. The model is tested using real-world logistics data, and the results demonstrate significant reductions in carbon emissions and transportation costs when compared to conventional logistics site selection methods. Further sensitivity analysis reveals that the model is robust under varying transportation demands and geographic constraints. Also, we highlight the role of green logistics in achieving corporate sustainability goals aligning with global carbon neutrality initiatives. We believe this model offers a practical approach to fostering environmentally responsible supply chains and will contribute to the advancement of sustainable logistics operations, helping organizations make informed, eco-friendly decisions in site selection.

The Logistics Cost of Cikarang Dry Port: A General Review

High logistics costs in Indonesia are thus one of the principal economic inefficiencies that restrain the country's growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace. In this context, the paper focuses on the contribution of the Cikarang Dry Port (CDP) to the national economy. This qualitative research draws on an extended narrative review of the Cikarang Dry Port. These results reflect how the CDP is pivotal in reducing logistics costs, benefiting clients and manufacturing firms around the dry port area through bettered transportation and logistics service provision. The study also puts much emphasis on the fact that logistics efficiency is not only crucial at the level of individual enterprise performance but also, more broadly, for Indonesia's economic landscape. The CDP consolidates supply chains and reduces transportation costs, ultimately building overall cost competitiveness for Indonesian enterprises in more state and international markets. The study calls for the Indonesian government to invest in developing and upgrading the infrastructure of the Cikarang and Bekasi areas. These strategic investments would also help reduce the overall cost of logistics, thereby creating an enabling environment for business operations and playing a role in the economic development and growth of the nation.

Research on Route Optimization of RO-Ro Ship Based on Ant Colony Algorithm

This study is based on an ant colony algorithm for route optimisation of roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) vessels, aiming to minimise the total cost of RO-RO shipping routes. The model takes into account factors such as port berthing cost, fuel consumption and sailing time, and ensures the stability and efficiency of the optimisation results by adjusting the algorithm parameters such as pheromone initialisation, pheromone evaporation rate and ant colony size. The results of the study provide a practical solution for ro-ro ship route optimisation, which significantly reduces the operating costs and also provides key technical support for shipping companies to compete in the global market. In addition, the study demonstrates the potential of the optimisation model to reduce transport costs, improve shipping efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, providing an effective technical support for shipping companies in an increasingly competitive global market. Through this optimisation approach, shipping companies are able to better manage their route selection, resource allocation and operational processes, enhancing market competitiveness and promoting sustainable development of the shipping industry.

Simulation study on hydrogen concentration distribution in hydrogen blended natural gas transportation pipeline.

Hydrogen is a clean energy source, and blending it with natural gas in existing pipeline networks is a key transition solution for transportation cost reduction. However, during the transportation process, a non-uniform distribution of hydrogen concentration occurs in the pipeline due to gravity. Therefore, it is necessary to study the hydrogen concentration distribution law of hydrogen-blended natural gas in pipelines. The undulation and ball valve pipelines, which are common in transport pipelines, were constructed in this study. The effects of the undulation angle, height, pipeline diameter, ball valve opening, and temperature on the distribution of the hydrogen concentration were investigated using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) methods. The results indicated that the hydrogen concentration gradient changed gently with the larger diameter of the undulating pipeline, minimizing hydrogen accumulation. Higher undulation angle and smaller height differences reduces the hydrogen accumulation risk. Increasing vertical height difference of the pipeline from 5 m to 15 m increased the hydrogen volume fraction gradient by1.3 times. In the ball valve pipeline, the velocity fluctuation decreased as the ball valve opening increased. However, the hydrogen accumulation phenomenon was obvious. The opening increased from 25% to 100% and the hydrogen volume fraction gradient increased more than two times. Selecting delivery conditions with low hydrogen blending ratios, high temperatures, low pressures, and high flow rates reduces the occurrence of hydrogen buildup in the pipeline.

Reduction of Transportation Cost: Examinig the Moderating Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Implementation in Bangladesh

This study investigates the role of logistics strategies Route and Node Optimization, Shipment Consolidation, and Demand Forecasting in reducing transportation costs in the logistics sector of Bangladesh. It also explores the moderating effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the effectiveness of these strategies. With the increasing complexity of logistics operations and the growing need for cost-efficient practices, this research highlights how traditional logistics methods can be augmented with advanced AI technologies to optimize operations and achieve significant cost reductions. Data were collected through structured surveys involving 300 respondents from logistics companies in Bangladesh. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multiple Regression Analysis, the relationships between the independent variables (logistics strategies), the moderating variable (AI implementation), and the dependent variable (Transportation Cost Reduction) were evaluated. The results reveal that Shipment Consolidation had the most significant impact on transportation cost reduction, followed by Demand Forecasting and Route and Node Optimization. AI implementation was found to positively moderate these relationships, enhancing the efficiency of each strategy. The findings underscore the transformative potential of AI in logistics operations, particularly in developing economies. The study contributes to both theory and practice by providing actionable recommendations for integrating AI into logistics to achieve cost efficiency. Future research directions are suggested, including exploring longitudinal impacts and expanding the study scope to other regions.

A diet containing mango peel silage impacts upon feed intake, energy supply and growth performances of male dairy calves

The major challenges for disposal of waste from fruit processing factories are high transportation costs, limited landfill availability and environmental pollution. Therefore, developing efficient waste management techniques to reduce transportation costs and environment pollution is important. In 2021, global mango production was estimated to be at 57 million tons and mango peel (MP) represents 7–24% of the whole fruit weight. MP has been considered for use as ruminant feed in the form of fresh, dried, or silage. Fresh MP was abundant during the mango season and high in fermentable carbohydrate, which can easily breakdown and pollute the environment if a proper waste management method is not implemented. Thus, in this study, fresh MP was ensiled after sun-drying for one day and then fed to male dairy calves as a roughage source to evaluate its effect on feed intake, digestibility, energy balance, BW gain, feed efficiency and blood metabolites. Eight growing crossbred weaned male dairy calves (Holstein Friesians × Zebu) were allocated into two groups [Control (n = 4) and mango peel silage (MPS, n = 4)]. This experiment lasted for 12 weeks and calves were housed in 3.0 × 1.5 meters individual pen with concrete floor. Before feeding times, the weights of feed ingredients were weighed and mixed for 15 min. Calves were then given their respective diets ad libitum twice a day, at 0800 and 1600 h. Daily feed offered and refusals were recorded to determine the daily feed intake. A digestion trial was performed over the last five days of the experiment. BW and measurements were recorded every two weeks to determine the weight gain and body physical changes. Blood was collected at the end of experiment to analyze serum biochemical parameters. Ensiling improved the energy and protein content and decreased fiber content of MP, thereby improving the forage quality. Feeding a diet containing MPS at 30% of DM weight, compared to an isonitrogenous Control diet increased (P < 0.05) feed intake, energy supply and energy balance, changes in body measurements, weight gain, feed efficiency, and glucose concentration, as well as lowered (P < 0.05) the blood urea nitrogen concentration of male dairy calves. Ensiling fresh MP after sun-drying for one day led to stable, high-DM silage. Therefore, ensiling fresh MP could improve the feed supply for ruminant production and be an effective waste management strategy for fruit processing businesses.

Evaluation of the determinants of honey producers' market outlet choices in Huye District, Southern Province of Rwanda

Beekeeping is a profitable and socially beneficial farming business among Sub-Saharan Africa’s rural forest-based communities. Honey production, which is crucial for farm household health and nutrition in Rwanda’s forest-based rural communities, is growing significantly. However, various factors influence farm household heads’ decisions regarding the best outlets for delivering honey to the nearest market. It is vital to identify these factors to optimize honey production and marketing activities. Hence, this research was conducted in Rwanda’s Southern province, where agriculture and forestry are the primary economic activities to identify the potential factors. Using a cross-sectional approach, with primary data collected over a specific period, the economic data of honey producers were analyzed using STATA version 16. In total, 152 respondents were sampled using multi-stage sampling technique. A multivariate probit regression was used to assess the determinants of market outlet choices for honey producers. The results showed that education level, distance to market, training and credit access, extension service, market information, farming experience, time spent on honey collection, quantity sold, communication, and transport cost significantly influenced honey producers' market outlet choices. To increase profits, honey producers should increase honey collection time and sales, improve client communication, form cooperatives, and negotiate better prices with potential buyers. Driving personal vehicles can also reduce transportation costs. The government and industry stakeholders can support producers by offering credit loans, market information, extension services, marketing infrastructure, and adult education. To improve honey marketing channels, industry connections should be strengthened, and capacity-building training provided to raise producer awareness.

An integrated model approach for disaster impact reduction: lessons from a slow onset disaster in Chile

Purpose The prolonged drought in Chile’s Coquimbo region has created a permanent state of emergency, forcing the state to spend millions each year distributing drinking water to rural communities. The purpose of this article is to detail a study focused on optimizing the supply of drinking water through trucks in the 15 communes of the region and how the problem was faced in a context of a slowonset disaster. Design/methodology/approach A geo-referenced census and optimization analysis of the 5.541 households that receive drinking water was conducted to determine the feasibility of removing trucks from the system. To generate a greater reduction in distribution costs, it was suggested to incorporate water distribution infrastructure projects, changing the concept of ‘expenses’ to ‘investment’. Findings The study was born out of the concern for the increased demand for drinking water from rural areas. The proposed and implemented framework allowed an additional 20% reduction in the initial transportation costs; this confirmed the assumption that the proposed optimization model alone would not offer a robust solution and was complemented and integrated with this type of alternative, forming an “integrated model”. Research limitations/implications The paper has implications for the resilience of territories affected by climate change. Practical implications The methodology can be replicated in other areas where similar interactions occur. Social implications Families impacted by drought can improve their quality of life and reduce distress in the face of the constant emergency. Originality/value This research aims to contribute knowledge from the perspective of a slow-onset disaster where water resources are scarce. It presents a framework where two disciplines converge, resulting in an “integrated model” that, through its implementation, reduces the costs of resource delivery while simultaneously improving the sanitary conditions of the beneficiary families.

Potential Reduction in Carbon Emissions in the Transport of Aggregates by Switching from Road-Only Transport to an Intermodal Rail/Road System

Aggregates are the second-most consumed product in the world after water. This geological resource is used as building and construction material, and its production in quarries and delivery to customers generates several environmental problems. Their transport from quarries to consumption points, almost entirely done by truck, also generates impacts such as an increase in traffic and noise and the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Transportation and storage of goods account for 15% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and will increase significantly by 2050. To mitigate this, the European Union suggested shifting 30% of long-distance road freight to cleaner alternatives, such as rail or waterborne transport. This approach neglects the enormous volume of short-distance freight movement and its impact on achieving the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, the hypothesis to test is whether the use of an intermodal rail/road transport mode, instead of just roads, for the transport of some products can help reduce global CO2 emissions even for short distances. To test this, this study investigates the carbon emissions (and transport cost reduction) generated by rail/road intermodal aggregate transport for short distances in the Madrid region (Spain), rather than the currently used direct truck transport. An analysis of variables, such as aggregate supply, demand locations and amounts, and road and rail networks, using a geographical information system provides the associated carbon emissions of the different transport alternatives. To obtain a reduction in CO2 emissions, this study proposes the establishment of intermodal transfer facilities near consumption centers, where materials are primarily transported by rail, with road transport limited to the final delivery to consumption areas. The results anticipate a notable decrease in carbon emissions in aggregate transport and allow the establishment of more efficient and environmentally friendly rail/road intermodal transport that would help to meet the goals of reducing climate change while making the use of aggregates more environmentally friendly.

ANALYSIS OF YAM (Dioscorea spp) PRICES IN THE URBAN AND RURAL MARKETS IN THE WESTERN AGRICULTURAL ZONE OF NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the prices of yam (Dioscorea spp) in the urban and rural markets of the western agricultural zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data of monthly urban and rural prices on yam were collected from Nasarawa State Agricultural development programme. The result of the descriptive statistics showed that the minimum (13.89) and maximum (500.00) prices were recorded in Toto and Nasarawa respectively. The result of the ADF test shows that the price series in the western zone were all stationary both at level I(0) and at first difference I(1) except for Toto that did not attain stationarity at level I(0) but attained stationary after first differencing I(I). The co-integration result shows that only four (4) pairs were not co-integrated and these were Nasarawa/Laminga, Masaka/Gitata, Masaka/T-Uku and Masaka/Ara. Also from the result of the Granger-causality test, sixteen yam market links of urban and rural market investigated, fifteen yam market links showed the evidence of no granger –causality, they all exhibited evidence of Uni-directional price movement. The rural prices of yam exhibited weak exogeneity to their corresponding urban market prices. There is need for improvement of road networks, transport and market infrastructure. The study recommended policy interventions for improvement of market integration which may take form of price formation channels, and improvement of market infrastructure including transportation and road network, such policy should works to reduce transport cost and enhance trade between rural and urban markets.

CHOICE OF TRANSPORT MEANS IN THE ORGANIZATION OF INTRA-PLANT AUTOMOBILE FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION

Cargo transportation costs make up a significant part of the costs of industrial enterprises. The main factor that affects the choice of a vehicle for domestic transportation of goods is the cost of transportation. Reducing the cost of transportation allows you to reduce the costs of production and sale of products, increase the amount of profit and increase the profitability of the enterprise's economic activity. The analysis of studies and publications on the organization of the logistics process of cargo transportation as part of the selection of a motor vehicle proved that insufficient attention has been paid to this issue. The procedure for choosing a motor vehicle needs improvement, taking into account the technical and economic indicators of their operation. The article substantiates the theoretical approach to the choice of a vehicle for intra-factory transportation of goods. A feature of the proposed approach is the assessment of the impact on the cost of transportation of such factors as load capacity, vehicle idle time, and the amount of fixed and variable costs. To choose the most efficient type of vehicle, it is proposed to determine the dependence of the cost price on the distance of transportation. The procedure for estimating the distance of transportation, according to which the use of comparable types of transport is economically equally beneficial, has been developed. The implementation of the proposed provisions will allow enterprises to make economically justified decisions regarding the choice of vehicle, which will contribute to the reduction of freight transportation costs. This method can be used by transport companies to justify the feasibility of choosing a vehicle for cargo transportation.

Determining the Predictive Power of the Gravity Model: A Case for Zambia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive power of the gravity model in explaining trade flows in Zambia. Materials and Methods: The study utilized panel data for the period 1990-2020 for the Zambian economy and its 15 top trading partners based on 2018 trade volumes. The data was collected from the Centre for Prospective Studies and International Studies for International Information (CEPII) Gravity Database. The study employed the gravity equation to predict trade flows in Zambia. Findings: The empirical results show that the gravity model accurately predicts Zambia's trade flows, with GDP positively and distance negatively correlated with exports. The results also show that sharing a common border enhances Zambia’s exports. Surprisingly, trade agreements exhibit a negative relationship with exports. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The significant negative impact of distance on trade highlights the need for improved infrastructure and logistics to reduce transportation costs, thus, facilitating Zambia’s trade flows. Further, the findings suggest that Zambia should focus on strengthening trade with neighboring countries. Additionally, Zambia should diversify export bases away from heavy reliance on the mining sector. Besides, there is a need for active participation in regional integration initiatives to address implementation challenges of trade agreements.

A steady-state numerical approach for the thermo-structural analysis of a cryogenic piston pump

Abstract The process of liquefaction of gaseous fuels, such as natural gas or hydrogen, is an essential technology that helps reduce transportation costs over long distances. Cryogenic piston pumps play a critical role in these systems, as they compress the fuel up to 700 bar before vaporization and storage in high-pressure vessels. Due to the extreme temperatures and pressures involved, the design of these machines poses a significant challenge from the thermal and structural point of view. This work presents the application of a simplified numerical approach for evaluating the thermally induced stresses and deformations through a de-coupled thermo-structural three-dimensional analysis of a prototype cryogenic piston pump. Thermal simulations of the solid domain are carried out to assess the steady-state temperature distribution of the pump. The heat transfer between the pump and cryogenic liquid is computed using three-dimensional steady-state CFD simulations of the suction and discharge phases. Heat generated by friction during the working cycle of the pump and external natural convection are calculated and imposed as a heat source in the simulations. The steady-state temperature distribution is imposed in a finite-element steady-state three-dimensional structural simulation to evaluate the combined effect of thermal loads induced by the cryogenic temperatures and loads induced by the high working pressures. Results show how the proposed methodology can assist in the design of cryogenic piston pumps by offering valuable insights into the most critical aspects of these machines.

ВЕБ-СЕРВІС ОПТИМІЗАЦІЇ ВАНТАЖНИХ ПЕРЕВЕЗЕНЬ З ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ МЕТОДІВ ПРИЙНЯТТЯ РІШЕНЬ В УМОВАХ ПОВНОЇ ІНФОРМАЦІЇ

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to transport a product that you see on the shelves of a store/supermarket every day? After all, any goods are transported by trucks, perhaps even not only within the borders of the country, but also abroad, and in order to be able to do this, companies use both small-sized trucks and large-sized ones to transport as many products as possible in one trip. And this is the right approach, because the fewer trips will be made, the lower will be the fuel costs embedded in any product. What if the truck carrying the goods was not completely full? Potentially, it would be possible to distribute the product in such a way as to fit as many units of the product as possible in one truck, so that the company does not incur some costs. However, this is not always easy to do. Small shops own a small number of minibuses, so they transport only the most necessary goods. However, for the "big players" this is a big problem. These are mostly supermarkets that have several branches in the city or even the country, accordingly, the goods need to be delivered not to one point, but to several. And here the question arises: how to transport goods to several points, while all the necessary goods for each branch in such a way as to reduce transportation costs. However, in addition to fuel, there are many other factors to consider, such as: the capacity of the truck, its carrying capacity, payment to drivers for their services, distance, etc. All these factors together create another problem: how to organize it all correctly so as not to get lost in unnecessary numbers, to concentrate on the main thing and to simplify this process as much as possible? The best solution will be to develop a platform that will enable organizations to manage transportation and costs in such a way as to reduce them as much as possible through the correct distribution of goods and minimizing the number of trucks. In order to reduce costs due to the correct distribution of goods on trucks, optimization algorithms NFA, FFA, WFA, BFA were applied to solve the problem of packing into containers. A proprietary SFA algorithm is also proposed, the idea of ​​which is to divide the cargo into several parts, provided that it does not fit completely into the container.

Exploring the Readiness for Electronic Voting (E-Voting) in Emerging Economies: Evidence from Dodoma, Tanzania

There has been a lot of research on e-voting recently. Most studies assume that the implementation of e-voting is not merely about technology but also relates to several critical factors, such as the readiness of human resources and infrastructure, public trust, and others. This study explored the readiness for e-voting in developing countries, a case study of Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the challenges of the current voting system, establish the e-voting readiness status in Tanzania, and find out factors for establishment of e-voting system in Tanzania. This study was quantitative in nature and obtained data from 196 respondents selected from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officers and voters in Dodoma using purposive and convenient sampling techniques. Data was obtained from questionnaires distributed to officers and voters. The obtained data were analysed through descriptive statistics by the help of MS excel. The results show that the current voting system is faced with several challenges including limited safety, lack of trust, threat and insecurity vulnerability to mention but a few. It was further revealed that respondents were ready to adopt and use e-voting because it improves voters’ trust, ease voting procedures, reduces transportation costs on election materials/equipment and saves time. The study recommends the Independent National Election Commission of Tanzania, through various stakeholders see the possibility of establishing e-voting to achieve free and fair elections.

A quadratically constrained mixed-integer non-linear programming model for multiple sink distributions

Rising traffic congestion and fuel costs pose significant challenges for supply chains with numerous retailers. This paper addresses these challenges by optimizing transportation routes for processed tomatoes within a long-haul and intercity distribution network. We use the heterogeneous capacitated vehicle routing problem framework to create a new quadratically constrained mixed-integer non-linear programming model that aims to meet demand at multiple destinations while minimizing transportation costs. Our model incorporates real-time data and route optimization strategies that consider traffic conditions based on freight time and route diversions for expedited deliveries. It aims to devise an optimal transportation schedule that minimizes fuel, operational, and maintenance costs while ensuring efficient delivery of tomato paste. By applying this model to a real-world case study, we estimate a significant 27.59% reduction in transportation costs, dropping them from GH¢20,270 ($1,638.91) to GH¢14,676 ($1,186.61) on average. This highlights the effectiveness of our strategy in lowering costs while maintaining smooth and efficient deliveries.

A novel method for evaluating ship concept performance in transport systems

Abstract Transport carries significant external costs such as climate change, accidents, pollution, and road congestion, driving national and international strategies for the development of new transport concepts. This includes shifting larger cargo volumes away from roads to more sustainable transport modes such as waterborne. The SEAMLESS project was launched in 2023 to answer to these needs by developing technology for autonomous waterborne zero-emission feeder-loop services. The realisation of such services depends on their modal competitiveness. Autonomous ships are expected to reduce transport costs and emissions, and ultimately improve logistical performance. There are, however, few published studies that quantify these impacts of autonomy. Furthermore, commercial waterborne autonomous transport services do not exist yet, limiting the possibilities for empirical analysis. Hence, research is needed to address exactly how and to what extent, autonomy improves competitiveness in different applications. This paper addresses the need for more empirical analyses of innovative waterborne transport performance, by presenting a novel method for evaluating ship concept performance in transport systems. The impacts of design choices are captured through hydrodynamic and logistical simulations. The method can be applied to transport systems consisting of both conventional and novel ship designs, operating on one or more routes including transhipments. It is implemented in the software SIMPACT and applied to a case study which establishes a shortsea feeder-loop service in the Bergen area in Norway. The Bergen municipality has decided that the container terminal is to be moved out of the city centre to reduce local traffic and emissions. However, in the absence of a competitive waterborne transport service in this region, the relocation will have the unfortunate consequence of an estimated annual net increase in regional truck traffic of 40,000 additional truck trips over 25km. By means of the proposed methodology, this paper investigates the feeder-loop concept and compare its quantified performance to truck transport and finds that competition is feasible.

Pickup and Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem with Hybrid Missions and Third-Party Vehicle Rentals: A Case Study of Animal Feed Industry

The vehicle routing problem for small and medium-sized animal feed manufacturers is a complex challenge because each transport route can vary significantly between delivering products to customers and picking up raw materials to return to the factory. Currently, businesses lack well-planned management for utilizing a limited number of trucks. As a result, they often incur additional costs by relying on third-party vehicle rentals. This research aims to reduce transportation costs for small and medium-sized animal feed manufacturers by solving a formulated mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model, using experimental data that accurately reflects the actual problems faced. The MILP model results help reduce transportation costs by up to 18.5% compared to current practices by optimizing route sequences and incorporating the use of third-party vehicle rentals. This also serves as a guideline for reducing transportation costs in other similar industries.

Trade Effects of Non-Tariff Barriers in Tanzania: A Case of the Dar es Salaam-Namanga Busy Border Trade Post

The main objective of this study is to examine and quantify the effects of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) on cargo trade movement in Tanzania, focusing on the Dar es Salaam-Namanga Border Post. Specifically, the study aims to identify the main administrative or technical requirements along this trade route (both old and new), analyze the regularity of these requirements based on respondents’ feedback, and provide recommendations for mitigating NTBs. The study utilized an empirical survey design, collecting mostly qualitative data on border trade performance and perceived non-tariff barriers. The research was guided by economic theory and targeted formal and informal cross-border traders, transport companies, truck drivers, weighbridge attendants, and customs and revenue authorities. Data was collected through desk research, interviews, questionnaires, and stakeholder consultations. The Dar es Salaam-Namanga route was chosen for its importance as the busiest commercial corridor in the East African Community (EAC). The study employed both probability and non-probability sampling techniques, restricted to the Arusha-Namanga roadway. Four data collection methods were used: desk research, interviews, questionnaires, and stakeholder consultations. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative information, and an econometric model based on Newton's gravitational equation (a modified gravity model) was used to quantify trade effects. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed for stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. The model's predictive power was tested using an F-test, and it was verified to meet assumptions of linearity, homoscedasticity, and multicollinearity. The results revealed that roadblocks, customs clearance, permits, and road infrastructure significantly affected trade performance. Unethical practices at weighbridges, frequent police checks, and customs procedures lead to monetary losses and time delays for cross-border traders. Bribery, police checks, and unloading processes during inspections were identified as factors contributing to the perception of NTBs as costly and time-consuming. On a positive note, improved road conditions have reduced transportation costs by lowering vehicle repair expenses and decreasing travel time. The study concludes that there is a need for regional cooperation within the EAC to eliminate existing NTBs. It recommends streamlining administrative procedures and working hours at border points, and implementing monitoring systems to ensure the effective removal of unnecessary barriers to trade. These measures are essential to improving trade efficiency and promoting the goals of the re-established East African Community.