Freight Logistics

Freight transport is a topic that has in many ways been neglected in the past because it has a different set of requirements to passenger transport and is often viewed as something that simply happens in the background and is able to look after itself. Yet the efficient, economic, safe and sustainable transport of goods is fundamental to modern consumer society. Freight transport has developed so that we now all depend on a complex set of transport movements to meet even our most basic needs such as the delivery of our mail or for a pint of milk to be available at our local shop whenever we want it. Almost all the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the newspapers we read and even the houses we live in have, at some stage in their lifecycle, been freight.

Freight transport is in itself a wide topic area with many different facets depending upon the type of goods being moved (for example contrast bulky aggregates, high value consumer goods and perishable items such as chilled foodstuffs), the mode of freight transport being used (road, rail, air or waterborne) and the area in which the goods are being transported (urban centre, industrial area, rural location). Yet these important distinctions are often overlooked and freight transport is frequently perceived merely as a uniform entity with a single set of needs.

In many cases it is the impacts of the transport of goods (vehicle emissions, noise and intrusion among others) that are more apparent than the activity itself. This can often lead to an unfounded negative impression of freight transport, frequently reinforced by a lack of understanding of how freight transport is organised. This is particularly the case in relation to the transport of freight in and around urban areas where freight vehicles can be the apparent cause of conflict with other road users and appear to impact on the other uses of the urban space (leisure, retail, residential etc). Yet the success of these other activities is actually dependent upon the freight within the vehicles. The situation is further compounded by the fact that the organisation of freight transport is governed by various stakeholders (shippers, freight operators, retailers, local highways authorities, police and regulatory bodies etc.), who may not be used to speaking to, or working with each other.

Hence the development of solutions to the problems commonly perceived to be associated with freight transport is a complex process. The Department for Transport has identified Freight Quality Partnerships (FQPs) as a mechanism for developing engagement between those parties that have a joint interest in optimising the operation and reducing the impacts of goods movement, usually within a defined geographic area. When applied as a means for delivering practical solutions, FQPs can provide a strong force for an agreed way forward.

In this context, only an integrated and multi-competence approach can result in a sustainable solution for both local authorities and private sector stakeholders. TTR has developed an experienced multi-disciplinary team of Consultants experienced in the area of urban freight transport through a combination of projects in this field.

Topic areas where TTR can offer support to public and private sector clients include:

• Assisting local authorities in designing, modifying and implementing a local freight management plan and / or freight quality partnership;
• Assisting private companies in their freight transport organisation and liaison with public sector authorities;
• Advising managers on "green" fleet management practices, including operational efficiency reviews and development & implementation of fuel management programmes;
• Assessing and helping to reduce polluting emissions due to freight transport activities;
• Quantitative and qualitative market research.

For more information on the type of frieght work we get involved in and some examples of our experience within this area of expertise, please click here for further details.