Evaluating Alternative Operations Strategies to Improve Travel Time ...

SHRP 2 L11: Final Report
Table 1.2 Classification of Freight Movers by Quality of Freight Operations
Classification by Quality of
Freight Operations
Nature of Scheduling
Level of Contracting
Relative Cost of Inventory
Travel-time Risk
Driver Pay
Level of Variability
Fleet Size
Connectivity
Schedule Flexibility
Specific Levels Considered Example
Truck arrival is scheduled tightly (less than one hour window)
Truck arrival is scheduled loosely (1-4 hour window)
Truck arrival is not scheduled
Transportation contracted (inventory cost not incurred by carrier)
Transportation in-house (inventory cost incurred by carrier)
Non-perishable or low value goods
Perishable or high value goods
Short range (many deliveries in one day)
Medium range (2-3 deliveries per day)
Long haul (one delivery per day)
Driver paid by the hour
Driver paid by the trip
Primarily highway driving
Primarily arterial driving
Small vehicle fleet (single driver)
Medium vehicle fleet (less than 25 vehicles)
Large vehicle fleet (more than 25 vehicles)
Meeting connection (intermodal or cross-dock/terminal)
Not meeting connection (intermodal or cross-dock/terminal)
Trip occurs during peak periods but ability to shift off peak
Trip occurs during peak period and limited ability to shift
Trip occurs off peak
The different combinations of the criteria listed above in Table 1.2 were generalized into three
general classifications of freight movers, outlined below.
(1) Level of Schedule Flexibility
• Flexible: Carrier can change schedule to less congested times or widen time windows with
few consequences
• Inflexible: Carrier must meet another outgoing vehicle, has limited timing flexibility, and
narrow windows
(2) Level of Operational Adaptability
• Complete: Carrier can change route, has many deliveries, has large fleet of interchangeable
vehicles
• None: Carrier has a small fleet, many deliveries, and few route choices
(3) Cost of Variability
• High: Carrier experiences significant costs from travel-time variability due to high
inventory, and carries burden of variability
• Low: Carrier’s cost of variable travel times is small
With these more general definitions, 2*2*2=8 unique freight mover classifications were defined,
which is much more manageable and usable, and are shown in Table 1.3.
INTRODUCTION Page 5