It is widely accepted that the demand for freight transportation is a derived demand. This research accepts this assumption. However, in this paper it is emphasized the role and importance that distribution network size, technology, and congestion have on the truck traffic flows that “materialize” supply chain flows over the public infrastructure. This research focuses on one type of distribution structure: a distribution centre that provides one commodity to several retailers or customers (one to many). Within this basic distribution structure the number of retailers/customers in a given route can increase or decrease due to economical or technological factors. The factors discussed in this paper include: ownership (independent retailers vs. central inventory control), technology (order policy with and without various technologies), second order technological effects, congestion, and toll effects. It is assumed throughout the paper that the joint minimization of distribution and inventory costs is the main behavioural driver. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E213716.
Samenvatting