Running head: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE MODES OF TRANSPORT
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STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE MODES OF TRANSPORT
Strengths and Weaknesses of The Modes of Transport
Rickey Doyles
American Public University
Introduction
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the five major modes of domestic and international transportation? This research paper seeks to unravel the significance of the various modes of transportation used in both international and domestic transport, focusing on their various strengths and weaknesses and how they are instrumental in helping create an effective supply chain. The ability to transport freight in the most time and cost-efficient manner qualifies a company to rank best in the world of trade. This implies that in the world of trade, the efficiency in transport management depends on how effective a supply chain will be built on the six modes of transportation: pipeline, air, maritime, intermodal, and road. A clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the various modes of transport will be paramount in helping come up with an effective supply chain. A supply chain can be described as a series of steps that can be involved in getting products or services to the customer. This may involve the movement and transformation of raw materials into finished products, transporting them, and finally distributing them to the final consumer.
Logistics can be regarded as a branch of the supply chain process that is responsible for the planning, implementation, and controlling of effective and efficient reverse and forward flow of goods and services as well as related information between the points of origin to the consumption point, to meet the customer’s requirements. For this reason, the logistics managers are individuals responsible for selecting carriers that can move swiftly, carrying the greatest volume of commodities through the greatest distance while doing all these at the lowest cost. Achieving these four traits requires that the logistics managers clearly understand the different modes of transport as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Companies approach these six modes of transport from different angles and shippers especially would do well to take into consideration the various advantages and disadvantages of the various modes of transportation; A proper choice for a given mode of transport relies on the understanding of what makes each mode of transport unique from the rest.
Literature Review
The various modes of transport have been in use for a long period and their usage has been based on the different strengths and weaknesses of the modes. The unique benefits derived from the modes of transport requirements that companies undertake careful consideration to enable logistics to take place in the best way possible. According to Ng et al., (2013), fast shipping is currently not only viewed as a luxury but an expectation of different requirements. The happiness of customers, the safety of products, and the success of any business rely on the logistics transportation of a given company. The kind of product to be transported is the first factor to consider when determining the logistics transportation of a given company. Where the shipment is leaving, and its final destination is an important factor in determining which mode of transport to be used in given situations.
The various logistics hubs in the United States, with New York being a major one is greatly impacted by the level of economic development in the country. According to Topolšek et al., (2018), the availability of policies and infrastructure determines the centralization of logistics activities in the country. Because of the different logistic activities involved in the transport industry, economic development is enhanced through the attraction of related investments. The ports are an important source of revenue through the various economic activities undertaken.
The study by Marchet et al., (2018), reveals that the attractiveness of a city eventually affects its capacity as a city involved in global logistics. In the event of a global economic recession, various cities experience a fall in their income activities and thus also negatively impacting various logistic activities. Since logistics is largely impacted by the economy, it, therefore, implies that the growth and performance of various logistics avenues are determined by various economic indicators. Logistics also tends to be affected in different ways by the various ways in which certain sectors influence the economy. For example, if there is a slump in oil prices, the cost for transportation and logistics will significantly improve.
Modes of transport and their various problems
Road transport is the most preferred by people in supply chains for businesses and suppliers. According to Razzaque & Sheng et al., (1998), logistics management views road transport as being having numerous strengths which make it most preferred by various suppliers. Low capital investment is involved in road transport in comparison to the other modes of transport. At the same time, its ability to provide door-to-door services enables road transport to reduce loading and unloading expenses as well as reduce cartage expenses. For the transport services delivered to the rural areas, road transport is the most preferred and it’s the most suitable transport mode for short distances. Ng et al., (2013), asserts that road transport has certain weaknesses which make it not able to be used in various circumstances. Road transport is slower compared to other modes of transport, making it unsuitable for commodities that need to be delivered quickly. For companies that transport their commodities over long distances and that are also heavy, using road transport would lead to several cases of accidents and overloading. During snow, floods, and rain, road transport tends to face various hindrances which makes it unsuitable.
Pipeline transport is suitable for fluid transportation, making it the most effective transport mode for offshore drilling. The increased safety and efficiency associated with pipeline transport makes it currently preferred by oil and gas companies. However, the research conducted by Marchet et al., (2018), proved that pipeline transport was responsible for increasing the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere thus contributing to global warming and climate change. The Trans-Alaska pipeline is a perfect demonstration of this kind of problem. In intermodal transportation, companies tend to take advantage of the individual strength of different modes, and this helps them in reducing the costs. In the past, intermodal transportation has often posed several challenges on the carriers and shippers mainly through the transfer of shipments between modes having maximum efficiency and minimal damage.
Since their inception in the 19th century, rail transport has become a vital mode of transport for the movement of heavy and bulky goods in the interior of most countries. Because trains are not influenced by traffic and diversion points, they tend to be dependable especially when making long hauls inland with minimal damage (Razzaque & Sheng et al., 1998). Because of its limited semi-level geographical areas of access, rail transport is always the primary player in intermodal transportation. In countries like Canada, the sparse population necessitates the use of rail transport to move commodities to different places especially along the coastal regions.
Potential new solutions
The various challenges faced by the logistics companies can be properly addressed by various logistics management practices. Proper planning needs to be conducted to ensure that various strategies are put in place to ensure that the logistics problems are effectively handled. After coming up with an effective plan, then the next strategy that can be undertaken is the implementation of the various plans that have been formulated. The various logistics networks should be controlled to ensure that the costs involved in logistics are minimized. With the proper planning undertaken and implemented, the various challenges experienced during logistics can be effectively handled and the companies involved in both domestic and international transportation.
Conclusion
The strengths and weaknesses of the various modes of transport are part of the major factors to be considered when coming up with the appropriate model to be used. Logistics tends to involve the planning, control, and implementation of how commodities are moved from their point of origin to the point of taking them to the final consumer. The weaknesses and strengths of various transport modes determine whether they will be the preferred modes to be used or whether they will be left in preference for others. The challenges faced within the logistics companies can better be addressed by a clear understanding of the features of different modes of transport.
References
Marchet, G., Melacini, M., Perotti, S., Rasini, M., & Tappia, E. (2018). Business logistics models in omni-channel: a classification framework and empirical analysis. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management.
Ng, M. M., Lun, Y. V., Lai, K. H., & Cheng, T. C. E. (2013). Research on shipping studies. International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 5(1), 1-12.
Razzaque, M. A., & Sheng, C. C. (1998). Outsourcing of logistics functions: a literature survey. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management.
Topolšek, D., Čižiūnienė, K., & Ojsteršek, T. C. (2018). Defining transport logistics: a literature review and practitioner opinion-based approach. Transport, 33(5), 1196-1203.