A Time-Efficiency Study of Medium-Duty Trucks Delivering in Urban Environments

Ivan Sanchez-Diaz, Laura Palacios-Argüello, Anders Levandi, Jimmy Mardberg and Rafael Basso
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Ivan Sanchez-Diaz: Department of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden
Laura Palacios-Argüello: LVMT Laboratoire Ville, Transport et Mobilité, 77455 Marne-la-Vallée CEDEX 2, France
Anders Levandi: Department of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden
Jimmy Mardberg: Department of Technology Management and Economics, Chalmers University of Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden
Rafael Basso: Volvo Technology, 41296 Göteborg, Sweden

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: This paper uses data from a major logistics service provider in Gothenburg (Sweden) to (i) identify the different activities in a typical urban distribution tour, (ii) quantify the time required by drivers to perform each of these activities, and (iii) identify potential initiatives to improve time efficiency. To do so, the authors collected GPS data, conducted a time-study of the activities performed by the drivers for a week, conducted a focus group with the drivers, and a set of interviews with managers. The results show that driving represents only 30% of the time, another 15% is spent on breaks, and the remaining 55% is used to perform activities related to customer service, freight handling, and planning. The latter are subdivided into multiple activities, each taking a small amount of time. A focus group with the drivers and some interviews revealed several initiatives to improve time efficiency. Most initiatives can bring small gains, but when aggregating all potential time savings there is a big potential to improve overall time efficiency. Initiatives with highest potential and low cost are: providing better pre-advice on upcoming customers, improving route planning, having hand-free cell phone use, and enhancing handling equipment.

Keywords: urban freight transportation; medium-duty trucks; focus group; drivers; time study; time efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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