Shipment Characteristics Research Articles

Data collection for microscopic modelling of urban parcel transport to and from establishments – empirical insights into city logistics in the region of Karlsruhe, Germany

City logistics plays a central role in supplying and disposing goods for establishments and residents in urban areas. However, the steadily rising demand for transporting goods puts cities under pressure. Hence, municipalities strive for alternative solutions for urban freight transport, especially parcel shipments on the first and last mile. Freight demand models are suitable to evaluate the transport-related effects of such solutions. However, developing those models requires a sufficient amount of data, which, to date, especially for establishments, cannot be covered in its necessary scope and accuracy by publicly available sources. Although parcel shipments to and from establishments make up to 40 % of the overall courier, express, and parcel market, these are often neglected in existing modelling approaches. Hence, in this study, we present a data collection concept for generating highly relevant data for the microscopic modelling of urban freight, i.e., parcel transport focusing on establishments. To reflect transport demand (i.e., establishments that need to have goods shipped) and transport supply (i.e., carriers that provide a transport service), a mixed-method approach is developed comprising complementary components. On the one hand, an online establishment survey is designed aiming to reveal disaggregated transport demand data for the subsequent modelling process. The survey focuses on the delivery and shipment characteristics of goods, such as temporal and spatial demand patterns. On the other hand, expert interviews are conceptualized to identify relevant patterns of transport supply carriers such as courier, express, and parcel service providers and shall further work as secondary data for the modelling process. The approach is applied in the region of Karlsruhe, Germany. It can be shown that the survey is generally suitable for generating freight transport data on a disaggregated level and that the mixed-method approach is capable of mutually validating the data obtained. However, our approach also emphasizes the necessity to conduct an establishment survey as a personal rather than a self-reporting interview, even if the costs are higher.

Why and Why Not? Systematic Review of the Willingness to Accept Drone and Robot Deliveries

Last-mile deliveries using drones and robots have recently emerged as alternatives to deliveries using conventional trucks. Because of the newness of the topic, there has been no synthesized summary of the acceptance of the emerging delivery modes, although the importance of the topic has increased with the growth of home deliveries. To fill the knowledge gap, this research systematically reviewed the literature on the willingness to accept drone and robot deliveries using the two largest publication databases: Web of Science and SCOPUS. A total of 46 academic studies were reviewed with respect to their trends, study scope (i.e., type of mode, type of products, modeling framework, and background theories), and factors that positively and negatively affect the willingness. Based on the review, knowledge gaps and the corresponding future research directions were derived: (a) robot-related investigations have been understudied compared to drones; (b) research from the shipper perspective is necessary; (c) transportation and logistics planning-related factors (e.g., socio-economic factors, trip and shipment characteristics) should be investigated; (d) an investigation of users’ behaviors based on actual usage (rather than relying solely on hypothetical scenarios) is necessary; (e) regulatory aspects should be taken into account; and (f) the heterogeneity of products needs to be taken into consideration.

A stochastic logistics model for Indonesia's national freight transport model: Transport chain choice from the shipper perspective

This paper presents research towards the development of a stochastic approach for estimating the transport chain choice for domestic shipments in Indonesia. This stochastic model aims to improve the logistics choices within Indonesia's national freight transport model (INTRAMOD), which currently handles such choice deterministically. The INTRAMOD logistics model presents five distinct transport chain possibilities involving four main modes: truck, rail, ship, and plane. To acquire the necessary data, revealed preference (RP) and stated preference (SP) survey work has been undertaken. Using the obtained RP/SP data, multinomial logit (MNL) models have been used to estimate the transport choice model. The model with a single time coefficient was found to be superior to the other models. Additionally, this preferred MNL model was extended by segmenting according to shipment characteristics, particularly for high and low value of goods. The results indicate that shipments with a high value of goods are more sensitive to transport time.

Freight Mode Choice with Public Data from the United States

This paper investigates the selection of freight modes by shippers that require transportation for their shipments. A discrete choice multinomial logit model is used to understand the connectivity and integration between mode-choice and the regional socioeconomic environment. The 2012 Commodity Flow Survey and United States Census Bureau data are public sources used to estimate the corresponding model. Analytical results indicate that shipment characteristics, commodity and industry types, and regional socioeconomic attributes provide an enhanced representation of the economic linkages that determine mode choice at the regional level. Meaningful discussion and guidance is provided to understand this complex process.

Effects of Distance and Reliability on Value of Time in Intercity Freight Transportation: An Adaptive Experiment in China

Road–rail container intermodal transportation is considered a solution to reduce the share of truck transportation in China. A modal shift from truck to intermodal alternatives requires a better understanding of freight mode choice behavior and improved estimations of the value of service attributes. This paper focuses on the effects of distance and reliability on the value of time (VOT). An adaptive experiment is conducted on potential customers of intermodal transportation in the Yangtze River Delta area, China. Multinomial logit (binary logit) and mixed logit models are estimated for eight specifications. The results show that shipper characteristics, commodity characteristics, and shipment characteristics significantly influence the mode choice behavior. Specifications with an interaction term between the logarithm of distance and transportation time perform better. The VOT of short-distance transportation is higher than that of long-distance transportation. The rate of VOT reduction decreases with increasing distance. In addition, incorporating the reliability variable in model specifications leads to a more homogeneous random parameter distribution of time and a lower VOT. This study helps intermodal operators to optimize product and design pricing strategies. Moreover, the proposed measures help to promote the modal shift from truck to road–rail container intermodal transportation.

Developing user-centered measures to increase the share of multimodal freight transport

The European Commission has dedicated itself steadily to multimodal freight transport to reduce problems such as air pollution or congestion and to reach the goals set by the Paris Agreement. Despite the political efforts to promote multimodality, the majority of freight transport is still carried out by truck. The aim of this paper is to capture the reasons for the small share of multimodal transport and suggest measures to promote multimodal transport. To collect data, a multiple-case study was conducted involving ten logistics service providers. The barriers to multimodal freight transport are analyzed in a holistic manner using interpretive structural modeling. Overall, fifteen barriers are presented which are classified as demand-related barriers, shipment characteristics, infrastructural/supply-related barriers, organizational barriers and legal / political barriers. Based on that, a bottom-up approach involving the ten logistics service providers (LSPs) is used to develop user-centered policy measures for multimodal transport. The direct involvement of LSPs facilitates acceptance of the proposed measures. The internalization of external costs, efficient information provision and education/training/awareness raising are rated as high impact measures to promote multimodal transport.

Modeling freight mode choice using machine learning classifiers: a comparative study using Commodity Flow Survey (CFS) data

ABSTRACT This study explores the usefulness of machine learning classifiers for modeling freight mode choice. We investigate eight commonly used machine learning classifiers, namely Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine, Artificial Neural Network, K-Nearest Neighbors, Classification and Regression Tree, Random Forest, Boosting and Bagging, along with the classical Multinomial Logit model. US 2012 Commodity Flow Survey data are used as the primary data source; we augment it with spatial attributes from secondary data sources. The performance of the classifiers is compared based on prediction accuracy results. The current research also examines the role of sample size and training-testing data split ratios on the predictive ability of the various approaches. In addition, the importance of variables is estimated to determine how the variables influence freight mode choice. The results show that the tree-based ensemble classifiers perform the best. Specifically, Random Forest produces the most accurate predictions, closely followed by Boosting and Bagging. With regard to variable importance, shipment characteristics, such as shipment distance, industry classification of the shipper and shipment size, are the most significant factors for freight mode choice decisions.

Challenging the shipper's location problem in port studies: An analysis of French AOC wine shipments to the US

One of the major issues in port choice and hinterland studies is the identification of the inland origins of containerized shipments. Firms' headquarters, intermediary cross-docking facilities, and the real places of origin of cargo are used interchangeably. This confusion may lead to a wrong perception of the factors affecting port choice decisions. This paper proposes a solution to overcome this problem, by focusing on shipments of French AOC wines (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) for which the geographical origin is strictly controlled. The paper also contributes to the port choice and hinterlands literatures by testing three new variables related to the logistical organization of shipments. A conditional logit model is employed to estimate the probability of choosing a port taking in account heterogeneity in the characteristics of shipments and decision makers. The results confirm the importance of inland distance and maritime connectivity, and bring new insight on the impact of logistical organization of shipments.

Further insights into the allocation of greenhouse gas emissions to shipments in road freight transportation: The pollution routing game

Abstract At present, there is no globally accepted standard for the allocation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to shipments in road freight transportation. The only official international standard for emission calculation of transport operations is the European Norm EN-16258. However, even this norm still allows choosing from several alternative emission allocation schemes. This research aims to harmonize the process of GHG declarations for supply chains by identifying among all allocation units specified by EN-16258 the one that describes a shipment's contribution to GHG emissions best. For this purpose, concepts of the cooperative game theory are used. First, we develop three transport scenarios that allow studying a shipment's effect on GHG: a vehicle routing problem, a network flow model, and a mixed scenario. Our approach extends previous research projects because we take into account that shipment characteristics in terms of origin, destination, weight, and volume consume transport capacities to different degrees, impact the routing of the commercial vehicles and, thus, determine GHG. Second, we present the results of a computational study that bases on the introduced transport scenarios and that compares the allocation vectors resulting from the EN-16258 allocation rules with the Shapley value, which serves as a benchmark for a shipment's contribution to GHG. Furthermore, we show how often the EN-16258 allocation principles are in line with a set of game theoretical fairness criteria. The results indicate that the allocation unit ‘distance’ is the closest to the game theory benchmark and most often in line with game theoretical fairness criteria.

Further Insights into the Allocation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions to Shipments in Road Freight Transportation: The Pollution Routing Game

At present, there is no globally accepted standard for the allocation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to shipments in road freight transportation. The only official international standard for emission calculation of transport operations is the European Norm EN-16258. However, even this norm still allows choosing from several alternative emission allocation schemes. This research aims to harmonize the process of GHG declarations for supply chains by identifying among all allocation units specified by EN-16258 the one that describes a shipment's contribution to GHG emissions best. For this purpose, concepts of the cooperative game theory are used. First, we develop three transport scenarios that allow studying a shipment's effect on GHG: a vehicle routing problem, a network flow model, and a mixed scenario. Our approach extends previous research projects because we take into account that shipment characteristics in terms of origin, destination, weight, and volume consume transport capacities to different degrees, impact the routing of the commercial vehicles and, thus, determine GHG. Second, we present the results of a computational study that bases on the introduced transport scenarios and that compares the allocation vectors resulting from the EN-16258 allocation rules with the Shapley value, which serves as a benchmark for a shipment's contribution to GHG. Furthermore, we show how often the EN-16258 allocation principles are in line with a set of game theoretical fairness criteria. The results indicate that the allocation unit ‘distance’ is the closest to the game theory benchmark and most often in line with game theoretical fairness criteria.

Evaluating the impact of long cargo dwell time on port performance: an evaluation model of Douala International Terminal in Cameroon

Create as part of the concession agreement signed by the Container Terminal 28 June 2004 with the port of Douala, Douala international terminal (DIT) Company aims to manage, operate and develop the Port’s container handling activity in Douala. This paper investigates the main factors explaining long container dwell times in Douala Port. Using original and extensive data on container imports in the Port of Douala, it seeks to provide a basic understanding of why containers stay on average more than two weeks in port space while long dwell times are widely recognized as a critical hindrance to economic development. It also demonstrates the interrelationships that exist between logistics performance of consignees, operational performance of port operators and efficiency of customs clearance operations. Shipment level analysis is used to identify the main determinants of long cargo dwell times and the impact of shipment characteristics such as fiscal regime, density of value, bulking and packaging type, last port of call, and region of origin or commodity group on cargo dwell time in ports is tested. External factors, such as performance of clearing and forwarding agents, shippers and shipping line strategies, also play an important role in the determination of long dwell times.

Co2 emissions of French shippers: The roles of delivery frequency and weight, mode choice, and distance

In this article, we describe the effects of delivery frequency, mode choice, distance, and shipment weight on the CO2 emissions of French shippers, taking advantage of a 2004 survey of French shippers (ECHO) which describes the characteristics of 3000 shippers, 10,000 shipments, and 20,000 transport chain legs.Once the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of every shipment have been computed, they are divided by the corresponding number of ton-kilometres in order to find their carbon intensity (in grammes of CO2 per ton-kilometre). We then analyse the latter with respect to a number of selected shipment characteristics: shipment frequency and mode choice (planning choices), and Euclidean distance and yearly tonnage shipped to the same customer (transport demand). We also develop two log-linear regression models in which carbon intensity is assumed to be caused by these characteristics. We find that shippers' transport planning choices have at least as much impact on carbon intensity as the characteristics of transport demand.

Freight shipment modal split and its environmental impacts: An exploratory study

Freight transportation activities are responsible for a large share of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Various freight transportation modes have significantly different impacts on air quality and environmental sustainability, and this highlights the need for a better understanding of interregional freight shipment mode choices. This paper develops a binomial logit market share model to predict interregional freight modal share between truck and rail as a function of freight and shipment characteristics. This model can be used to estimate the impacts of various factors, such as oil price, on shippers’ mode choice decisions. A set of multiyear freight and geographical information databases was integrated to construct regression models for typical freight commodities. The atmospheric impact levels incurred by different freight modal choice decisions are analyzed to provide insights on the relationship among freight modal split, oil price change, and air quality. Implications: Freight transportation has become a major source of energy consumption and air pollution, and emissions rates vary significantly across different modes. Understanding freight shipment mode choice under various economic and engineering factors will help assess the environmental impacts of freight shipment systems at the national level. This paper develops a binomial logit model for two dominating modes (truck and rail) and shows how this model is incorporated into an environmental impact analysis. The framework will be useful to policy makers to assess the impacts of freight movements on air quality and public health and to mitigate those adverse impacts.

Modeling urban commercial vehicle daily tour chaining

This paper presents a tour-chain-based approach to modeling urban commercial vehicle daily activity patterns. A daily tour chain refers to a sequence of daily tours made by a vehicle. Multinomial logit model results demonstrate that urban daily tour-chain choice is a result of collective decisions based on cost and shipment characteristics. This research has significant contributions to the current literature in filling the gap of understanding such critical logistics decisions as distribution channel and factors affecting tour chaining. Furthermore, the paper presents an innovative use of commercial vehicle travel survey data, and points to the urgent need for better quality data.

Determinants of Premiums Received by Organic Field Crop Producers

According to shipment records of an organic marketing cooperative from 2003 to 2005, organic corn and soybean premiums exceeded 100% of the conventional prices, while organic premiums for wheat varieties averaged 85%. For all organic crops included in this study, except soybeans, the premiums varied by idiosyncratic differences in shipment characteristics. On average, crops contracted during the quarters following harvest received smaller premiums than those contracted during the harvest quarter, and longer contract horizons were associated with higher premiums. The findings support the growing demands for organic field crops over the sample period, particularly for corn and soybeans.

An Assesment of Industrial Shipper's Perceptions in the Modal Selection of Air Cargo Transportation

The process which industrial shippers use regarding freight modal choice is better understood when analyzed within the marketing models of organizational buyer behavior. These models take their origin from the behavioral aspects of consumer buyer behavior and attitude-attribute theory which allow researchers to meuure consumer perceptions, predict preferences and then infer choice. Perceptions about freight modal alternatives and the relative importance of cost, service, shipment characteristics, and distribution pattern attributes were ascertained via a self-administered mail survey conducted in 1982. Using comparisons between mean response scores and multidemensional scaling techniques, respondent perceptions were measured and analyzed. The air cargo mode vas isolated for specific study. The results indicate that air cargo is perceived as a unique transportation alternative providing a means for shippers to meet their customer's special requirements at a premium freight rate. Industrial class shippers, in general, seek low cost dependable transportation methods for the shipment of low value per unit weight bulk commodities, and do not value short transit time as relatively important. However, when the customer dictates and the shipment allows, the air cargo mode is the ideal method of transportation.

A Derived Demand Function for Freight Transportation

An attempt has been made to improve upon existing specifications and estimations of freight demand by treating transportation as an input in the production process and estimating the derived input demand equations for rail and trucking associated with a general translog cost function. This estimation method also recognizes that rates and shipment characteristics are jointly dependent and takes this inter dependence into account in estimating the demand functions. Two tentative conclusions emerge from the findings of this paper. First, at least with respect to less-than-truckload (LTL), rail and truck transportation are largely independent. Therefore, relatively little modal misallocation of resources between rail and LTL trucking should result from ICC policies that attempt to maintain the value of service pricing structure. Second, the estimated own price elasticities of demand for rail services were sufficiently high to indicate that the railroads might not benefit from blanket rate increases but could benefit instead from selective rate cutting. It is noted that the unique methodology employed and the empirical findings described in this paper need to be verified using different data and different time periods.

An improved model for estimating shipment platform handling times for motor carriers

One of the major areas of disagreement between shippers, carriers, and the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) concerns the costs (in both dollars and time) experienced by motor carriers in handling shipments over the terminal platform. A more sophisticated method of analysis than the method currently used by the ICC to estimate the effects of shipment characteristics on platform handling time is presented in this paper. Analysis of data obtained in the ICCs platform study revealed that the factors of shipment weight and density, which have been believed to be major determinants of shipment platform handling time, actually have relatively minor impact on variations in platform handling time. Shipment characteristics, such as the shipment's degree of unitization and number of pieces, are the major determinants of platform handling time. Motor carrier cost formulae and the classification system should be revised to place greater emphasis on these shipment characteristics.