1. Home
  2. TRID
  3. View Record
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Level of service in travel and transport chains

Matka- ja kuljetuspalvelujen palvelutaso. Matkojen ja kuljetusten palvelutasotekijat ja ketjutarkastelumallin kuvaus

In 2011 the Finnish Transport Agency (FTA) initiated a long-term project on the level of service in travel and transport chains. The project produces information and forms the basis for an operational model, which will improve the FTA's possibilities to take comprehensive responsibility for the level of service in travel and transport and promote the implementation of the most effective methods in order to guarantee the level of service in travel and transport. In the first phase of the project the different service level expectations on travel and transport were identified and analyzed, the recommendations for forming different travel and transport groups were formulated and the critical factors in the transport system, which influence the implementation of the service level factors, were assessed. The examination of travel needs and service level factors regarding travel is preferably carried out by forming travel groups, such as commuter journeys to work or studies, journeys to school, business trips, personal business trips and leisure-time journeys. In travel, the most important service level factors are the journey time and the fact that the journey is predictable, effortless, safe, comfortable and under control. The significance of different service level factors vary between the groups with different purposes of the journey and partly also within the same travel group depending on the length of the journey. In the commuter journeys to work or studies the emphasis lies on the journey time and the predictability of the journey, while the priority in the school journeys is safety. In business trips the length and predictability of the journey time are stressed as well as the fact that the journey is under control. In personal business trips the main factor is that the journey is effortless, and as regards leisure-time journeys both effortlessness and comfort play important roles. When examining transport needs and service level expectations it is recommended to form groups of goods, such as bulk goods, mass product articles, consumer, valuable and investment goods (forming one group), perishable goods, dangerous goods and goods which require special transports. Within these groups of goods the service level factors regarding transport are almost homogenous whether it is a case of domestic or international transport or just domestic transport and regardless of what modes of transport are used in the transport chain. The precondition for all transports is transport reliability, which means that the goods can be transported at the planned time. The service level factors regarding transport can be divided into two groups: qualitative service level factors which on one hand influence cost effectiveness and on the other delivery reliability. The latter refers to punctual and safe delivery of undamaged and unspoiled goods. An approach to planning based on examinations of travel and transport chains can be used to identify mobility and transport needs. By analyzing travel and transport needs and their service level factors it is possible to identify the actual service level shortcomings regarding travel and transport better than with the traditional methods and to find the most effective measures in order to rectify the shortcomings and the instances responsible for these. Before the operational model based on examinations of the chains can be used systematically at the different levels of planning, the method must be further developed and tested in concrete planning situations. It is not enough to simply identify the service level factors, unless these can be measured or in other ways assessed. This is why measuring instruments and parameters are required in order to describe the current level of service and the way in which it can be improved by taking different actions.

Language

  • English
  • Finnish

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01370368
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Finnish Transport Agency
  • ISBN: 9789522551153
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: May 16 2012 4:10PM