A13 Santén, Vendela, 2016, pp 67-71, 74-75, 78-81 Flashcards
What are the three key approaches to reducing the environmental impact of freight transport?
Improving efficiency within each transport mode (e.g., fuel choice, vehicle improvements).
Shifting to more environmentally friendly transport modes (e.g., using rail instead of road).
Reducing the need for transport altogether through optimized logistics strategies.
How does increasing the load factor contribute to sustainability in freight transport?
A higher load factor means transporting more goods per trip, reducing the number of trips needed and leading to lower fuel consumption and emissions.
Example: A company that optimizes its packaging and loading processes to fit more items per truck can cut down the number of required deliveries.
What challenges exist in measuring the load factor in freight transport?
Load factor can fluctuate throughout a trip due to pick-ups and drop-offs, making it difficult to measure. Additionally, trade-offs between consolidation and increased route distances must be considered.
Example: A truck might leave a warehouse fully loaded but become only half-full after a few deliveries, impacting efficiency measurements.
What role does collaboration between transport buyers and providers play in improving sustainability?
Increased cooperation and information sharing help optimize route planning, reduce empty trips, and improve overall logistics efficiency.
Example: A retailer shares delivery schedules with its supplier, allowing shipments to be combined, thus reducing trips.
What are the main barriers to achieving environmentally sustainable freight transport?
Lack of coordination between transport buyers and providers.
Resistance to change due to cost concerns.
Difficulty in measuring and tracking sustainability metrics.
Trade-offs between cost efficiency and environmental impact.
What is the significance of holistic system thinking in sustainable logistics?
Addressing sustainability requires viewing logistics as an interconnected system rather than focusing on isolated changes. Optimizations at one level may not translate to overall environmental benefits unless broader system impacts are considered.
What are some examples of logistics actions that support sustainable freight transport?
Using alternative fuels (e.g., biofuels, electric trucks).
Improving vehicle efficiency through aerodynamic design.
Enhancing consolidation and load planning to maximize space utilization.
Implementing IT solutions for real-time tracking and route optimization.
Why is measuring CO₂ emissions per transport unit important?
It allows companies to track and improve their sustainability performance by identifying inefficiencies in their transport operations.
Example: A logistics company monitors its emissions per tonne-km and identifies that shifting some deliveries to rail can reduce emissions by 30%.
