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Article
Publication date: 12 March 2019

Amir Gharehgozli, Henk de Vries and Stephan Decrauw

This paper aims to study the function of standardisation in intermodal transport. It identifies where standardisation helps to improve intermodal transport, who is active in…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the function of standardisation in intermodal transport. It identifies where standardisation helps to improve intermodal transport, who is active in intermodal transport standardisation, what types of standards are needed and what the decision-making process and implementation of standards should be like to positively influence the performance of intermodal transportation.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study is designed to carry out this research project. The empirical study starts with a review of the organisations that are responsible for standardisation and intermodal transport, together with the standards that they have developed, and are developing, so far. It continues with analysing the topics where standardisation helps to improve the performance of intermodal transport. The analysis is based on 12 interviews, followed by desk research, to validate the respondents’ statements.

Findings

The results show that intermodal transportation should be distinguished in continental and maritime transport, which require different standards. In maritime transport, the hardware aspects of the system are highly standardised. However, further standardisation of information exchange offers potential to improve the quality of transport. For continental transport, challenges appear in the heterogeneity of infrastructure and loading units used in Europe. For both systems, openness and consensus are main requirements for the development of successful standards.

Originality/value

Standards facilitate interoperability, quality and safety of intermodal transportation, which leads to better performance. This has drawn little attention in the literature. This study addresses this gap and focuses on Europe.

Details

Maritime Business Review, vol. 4 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2397-3757

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 March 2015

EunSu Lee

The purpose of this study is to address an importance of an intermodal terminal regarding container drayage trips, which have a major concern for agricultural product exporters in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address an importance of an intermodal terminal regarding container drayage trips, which have a major concern for agricultural product exporters in the Upper Great Plains. Thus, this study aims to develop a geospatial model considering travel distance and total logistics costs for determining an alternative intermodal terminal location.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a spatial model integrating integer linear programming to determine an intermodal facility location that minimizes total logistics costs. This research considers travel distance and total logistics costs including highway, rail and transshipment costs.

Findings

The results shows that a Dilworth, Minnesota, terminal reduces vehicle miles of travel on both the highways and rail networks and decreases system-wide total logistics costs compared to the do-nothing scenario while decreasing urban congestion costs in metropolitan areas.

Research limitations/implications

The major contribution of the study is that it provides an integrated tool of spatial and economic analyses to support regional decision-making. The paper will be of interest to regional planners and to those in the private business sectors including farmers and manufacturers. The future study should address demand forecasting on the containerized freight in the region.

Originality/value

The novel approach of this paper is to use a link blocking constraint, considering the directions of the freight flow in a p-hub intermodal problem.

Details

Management Research Review, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8269

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2009

Rommert Dekker, Eelco van Asperen, Geerten Ochtman and Walter Kusters

The purpose of this paper is to consider the use of temporary storage offered by intermodal transshipment points to position some stock of fast moving consumer goods in advance of…

3677

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the use of temporary storage offered by intermodal transshipment points to position some stock of fast moving consumer goods in advance of demand; this floating stock concept combines transport and inventory management. Intermodal transport is compared with direct road transport for a supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

First an analytical comparison is made which shows that the floating stock concept has advantages in inventories over pure road and intermodal transport. Next, a simulation study of a real case is made which quantifies the cost‐differences in detail.

Findings

It is found that both storage costs can be lowered and shorter response times be gotten by sending shipments in advance to intermodal terminals. The advance positioning can offset the disadvantage of a longer transit time in intermodal transport.

Research limitations/implications

Demand needs to be somewhat predictable. The pooling effects depend on geographical layout of the customers. The availability of intermodal transport options is based on the situation in Western Europe.

Practical implications

The floating stock concept considers both the transport and inventory issues. By positioning some of the stock at transshipment points close to the customer in anticipation of demand, the concept can yield lower inventory costs as well as a lower customer lead time. The benefit for logistics service providers is a more regular supply chain. Using intermodal transport provides an opportunity to green the supply chain as the environmental impact per ton/kilometer is lower than road transport.

Originality/value

This paper draws on the areas of logistics and inventory management to consider the choice of transport mode; most studies look at these issues in isolation. Considering the holding and storage costs in addition to the distribution strategy enables a more thorough comparison of the transport modes.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 39 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2004

Clyde Kenneth Walter and Richard F. Poist

Changes in US transportation policy and changing freight flows influenced by NAFTA have refocused the attention of interior states on their transportation infrastructure. Shippers…

3192

Abstract

Changes in US transportation policy and changing freight flows influenced by NAFTA have refocused the attention of interior states on their transportation infrastructure. Shippers in the landlocked Midwest of the USA have inquired into the feasibility of inland ports that better facilitate domestic and global commerce by providing shared facilities and services. As such, these inland ports represent one‐stop shopping for various transportation and logistics‐related services. The present study asked central Iowa shippers about their perceptions of and preferences for a proposed inland port. The respondents were categorized as either “international” (i.e. companies that export and/or import, and those planning to) or “domestic‐only” (firms with no international operations nor plans to export or import). The results will assist policy makers and investors to develop an implementation strategy for an inland port, and to identify potential customers for specific port features and services.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 34 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 February 2024

Seungjae Shin

The purpose of this study is to compare the competition and productivity of the US freight rail transportation industry for the past 41 years (1980 ∼ 2020), which consists of the…

139

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare the competition and productivity of the US freight rail transportation industry for the past 41 years (1980 ∼ 2020), which consists of the two periods, before and after the abolishment of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) in 1995.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates any relationships between the market concentration index values and labor productivity values in the separate two periods, and how the existence of a regulatory body in the freight transportation market impacted the productivity of the freight rail transportation industry by using a Cobb–Douglas production function on annual financial statement data from the US stock exchange market.

Findings

This study found that, after the abolishment of the ICC: (1) the rail industry became less competitive, (2) even if the rail industry had an increasing labor productivity trend, there was a strong negative correlation between the market concentration index and labor productivity and (3) the rail industry’s total factor productivity was decreased.

Originality/value

This study is to find empirical evidence of the effect of the ICC abolishment on the competition and productivity levels in the US freight rail transportation industry using a continuous data set of 41-year financial statements, which is unique compared to previous studies.

Details

Journal of International Logistics and Trade, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1738-2122

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2021

Sachin Tripathi, Manoj Hudnurkar and Suhas Suresh Ambekar

The purpose of this research paper is to understand the major factors considered before choosing the mode of transportation for the freight movement in India by different…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to understand the major factors considered before choosing the mode of transportation for the freight movement in India by different stakeholders and look into the future prospects on each of these sectors, i.e. railways, roadways and inland waterways.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collected the primary data from the various stakeholders in the transportation sector and the secondary data through websites and various ministries of each of the sectors. The various factors are then determined by thoroughly analysing the responses by performing factor analysis in SPSS.

Findings

Earlier railways were the preferred medium of transportation, but the dynamics shifted during the 90’s to roadways, and now, it is responsible for nearly 60% of the freight traffic with waterways slowing increasing its share of the pie. Also, there are a lot of factors which stakeholders consider, but the major factors that came out are cost, sustainability, timing, government initiatives, visibility and performance.

Practical implications

The result of this study implies that sectors should create a robust network for easy reach of the customers and try working in conjunction to create an efficient, affordable and highly connected network. This study will also help in taking vital decisions regarding the future planning of transportation sector.

Originality/value

The findings help in improving the transportation network and help in better decision-making by various stakeholders while choosing the mode of transportation.

Details

International Journal of Innovation Science, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-2223

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1981

Robert C. Bushnell, James T. Low and James B. Wiley

For many years it has been recognised that physical distribution is a promising area for the application of system modelling techniques. Freight transportation systems offer a…

Abstract

For many years it has been recognised that physical distribution is a promising area for the application of system modelling techniques. Freight transportation systems offer a rare combination of tractability and realistic opportunity for improvement. Large‐scale freight network models, for example, can be useful to state and national transportation system planners. Among other uses, the models permit examination of the impact of proposed changes on modal competition and on the flow of traffic over certain routes. Carriers may also find network models useful for their more limited planning purposes, such as determining the consequences of changes in a physical system. For example, facilities or links can be added, deleted, or modified in order to analyse the effects on tonnage and mode of shipment for the affected commodities. Specific routes can be added or eliminated in order to determine the worth of using those routes. Finally, firms can change the commodity tonnage between specific origins and destinations in order to assess future transportation needs.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Materials Management, vol. 11 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0269-8218

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2007

Olli‐Pekka Hilmola

Railway freight transportation in Europe is in a state of change. The system has been freed from protection from the beginning of 2007 and market forces will start to act. Demand…

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Abstract

Purpose

Railway freight transportation in Europe is in a state of change. The system has been freed from protection from the beginning of 2007 and market forces will start to act. Demand for, and the market share of, this form of transportation has been declining for decades. Therefore, there is a need to know more about the efficiency and productivity of this sector, in order to understand the nature and magnitude of potential restructuring changes. This paper aims to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to analyze different European countries throughout the longitudinal observation period of 1980 to 2003. Also partial productivity analysis is used to support DEA evaluation.

Findings

Based on DEA results, it is found that those countries that were showing the highest efficiency levels in the 1980s, without exception, experienced an efficiency collapse in the 1990s. These include both former Eastern Bloc and West European countries. Based on partial productivity analysis, it is proposed that productivity of locomotives and railway tracks should be the primary target of productivity improvement in these formerly highly efficient countries. The efficiency analysis shows also that currently the most efficient railway freight transportation is located in the Baltic States, namely Estonia and Latvia. If one does not include data from Estonia and Latvia in the overall analysis, in a European context the only truly improving performance indicators are partial productivities of freight wagons, and staff.

Research limitations/implications

In contrast to previous efficiency studies in this sector, railway freight transportation shows high differences between European countries; it is necessary to address further research in the efficiency and productivity area in this respect to identify ongoing structural change.

Practical implications

Restructuring in European railways is just taking its first steps, and a combination of downsizing and greater freight volumes is needed if this mode of transportation is going to prosper in the future, and take market share back from others. Restructuring within this sector will most probably result in increased internationalization, mergers and acquisitions, and intermodal transportation solutions. These all represent new avenues for research.

Originality/value

This article helps to advise clear remedies for European railways and suggests interesting avenues for further research.

Details

International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 56 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1992

Kant Rao and Richard R. Young

Examines the impact of increased truck weight limits on the inlandmovement of ocean containers in the US. Considers six major inlandlanes, 12 combinations of cargo density and…

Abstract

Examines the impact of increased truck weight limits on the inland movement of ocean containers in the US. Considers six major inland lanes, 12 combinations of cargo density and shipment size, and eight transport options. Shows that transloading from ocean containers to either domestic containers or dry vans becomes economically more attractive if truck weight limits are increased in accordance with a proposed bridge weight formula. Gross savings to shippers from transloading range from 5 to 44 per cent depending on the lane and commodity type involved.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 22 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 31 December 2010

Sang-Yoon Lee, Young-Tae Chang and Paul Tae-Woo Lee

This study explores the main factors considered when shippers and container shipping lines select their import/export and transshipment ports. In the present study, 38 container…

Abstract

This study explores the main factors considered when shippers and container shipping lines select their import/export and transshipment ports. In the present study, 38 container port selection indices were chosen from the previous research and field interviews. The scores of the 38 items were collected via survey to the three major maritime/port market players: shippers, shipping lines, and container terminal operators. In order to analyze the different priorities imposed on the port selection factors by the three market players, the ANOVA method has been employed. The empirical test shows the different perceptions about port selection attributes among service suppliers and demanders. In addition, the 38 items have been categorized into seven key factors through an exploratory factor analysis. The ANOVA technique was employed again to analyze the perspective differences for the port selection factors among the market players. The results show that there are significant differences among the players assessing the importance of the three port choice factors: liners and terminal operators give more weight to ‘hinterland and terminal basic conditions’ than shippers; terminal operators do not take ‘line operation’ as seriously as carriers and shippers; the factor of ‘terminal operation’ is more significantly considered by liners and terminal operators than by shippers.

Details

Journal of International Logistics and Trade, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1738-2122

Keywords

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