A LOGISTICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE GROWTH OF LORRY TRAFFIC

This paper examines some of the underlying causes of the steep increase in lorry traffic on Britain's roads. It argues that to understand the process of freight traffic growth it is necessary to examine the logistical trade-offs that firms make at different levels of decision making. The levels at which these trade-offs are made are: 1) in the design of logistical systems; 2) in the choice of suppliers and distributors; 3) in the scheduling of product flow; and, 4) in the management of transport resources. It seems that the amount of road freight movement is determined mainly by structural changes in the systems of production and distribution. One of the important changes recognized is the geographical concentration of production and warehousing, though the growth of external sourcing and expansion of market areas are also having a significant effect.