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Web-based Transport Exchange Systems in Japan and its implication to Traffic Volume

Ryuichi Yoshimoto (Senior Researcher, Systems Research and Development Institute of Japan, Japan)

Logistics Systems for Sustainable Cities

ISBN: 978-0-08-044260-0, eISBN: 978-0-08-047322-2

Publication date: 22 July 2004

Abstract

The logistics cost is about 8% of GDPin Japan and the transport cost is 60% of logistics cost. And also, the road freight traffic volume is 40% of total vehicle kilometres including passenger car. Therefore, it is very important for our society to increase the efficiency of road freight transport.

Carriers generally have two ways to decrease road freight traffic volume. First, is to increase loading rates of LTL vehicles by joint delivery and the second is to decrease trucks running empty through the use of a information sharing system for TL vehicles. Recently, many Websites for information sharing are established in order to decrease the empty vehicles.

However, most of TL truck carriers are small companies and lack of financial and human resource for information sharing. In 1998, only 25% of these carriers used Personal Computer for their business. In 2002, this figure increased to 80% based mainly on the diffusion of Internet-accessible mobile phone. As the results, the possibility of information sharing between carriers is increasing.

The traditional information sharing systems have been used the specific communication line and closed system during carriers. Recent systems use the Web site and quasi-open type between carriers and shippers. There are some barriers for the application of the information sharing system to city logistics. It is necessary to have lead-time of 2 or 3 days before dispatching of TL. This lead-time includes order processing and freight and fleet management for each truck carrier. And also the institutional elements such as the arrangement on the level of freight charge and the insurance on cargo and transport is very important pre-requites for information sharing.

In near future, the possibility of application of information sharing system for city logistics will be increase when mobile Internet systems shorten the necessary lead -time and the institutional environment are improved.

Citation

Yoshimoto, R. (2004), "Web-based Transport Exchange Systems in Japan and its implication to Traffic Volume", Daganzo, C.F. (Ed.) Logistics Systems for Sustainable Cities, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 421-430. https://doi.org/10.1108/9780080473222-030

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2004 Emerald Group Publishing Limited