Executive Summary
Different modes of transport have their own mixture of advantages and disadvantages ranging from fast and efficient service to cost effectiveness and reliability which is discussed further in the report.
As the company is located in Doncaster, South Yorkshire it provides excellent transport links to all parts of the country and thus has access to a wide range of customers.
With regard to company's customers such as larger local retailers located within 100 km of the company, these can be served by road transport in Large Goods Vehicles (LGV's). This can provide fast and efficient door to door service over short distances. Deliveries to large retailers can be served with the use of Intermodal mode i.e. road/rail from the Doncaster International Railport as the products are of low value and will not damage due to shunting shocks. This works out to be more cost effective and is not restricted by capacity. Rail also tends to be more environmentally friendly and does not add to road congestion. Asda and Marks Spencer both have been taking advantage of rail's fast and punctual services.
The image of the company can be improved by using integrated transport infrastructure for example using intermodal mode for delivering ambient products which will reduce the congestion on Britain's roads and also reduces the company's overall cost.
Reducing the number of LGV's on roads can improve the image of the company which can be achieved by avoiding empty and light running. Some of the other factors to make the company's operations more sustainable can be gained by the use of Computerised vehicle routeing and scheduling (CVRS) software, use of 44 tonne LGV's, giving in-house training programme to its drivers and by joining the "Well ...