MODELLING EFFECTS OF LOGISTICAL MATCHING SYSTEMS ON TRANSPORT

A model for evaluating the effects of logistical matching systems on transport is presented. These popular systems provide a market through the Internet for shippers who offer their goods to be carried and freight carriers who offer a space for them on their trucks. The following procedures are included in the matching system: offering jobs by shippers and freight carriers; showing jobs available and vacant space in trucks on the systems; bidding the price by reverse auction or negotiation of price; and making contact between shippers and freight carriers. An attempt is made to clarify how much the matching systems can contribute to reduce the total costs and improve the environment by reducing running time of trucks. A mathematical model was developed for evaluating the effects on transport of the matching systems; the models were applied to a test road network.