Since road and rail transport account for most of the cost of inland container movements, whereas terminal standing accounts for most of the transit time, measures to attract additional traffic should seek to reduce dwell time in terminals and to lower the unit costs of the road and rail stages. Traffic in the 200-400 km distance bracket might offer the best prospects for growth in response to lower unit costs. Equipment in freightliner terminals is generally well matched to the throughput levels of 1973; increased throughput may be achieved by further investment either in large cranes or in existing or novel types of ancillary equipment. Some examples are given of re-equipment possibilities for particular terminals. Early growth may be expected in the use of small containers for goods distribution. Longer term growth of standard container traffic will depend on the adaptability of the system to local needs and on its convenience and economy for the private and public operators of road transport. further work is suggested. (Author/publisher)
Abstract