GOODS TRAFFIC IN 10-20 YEARS

Owing to rationalisation and developments in product structure, demands on goods transport have changed. There are greater demands regarding transport quality. Transport is now regarded as a means of competition that can positively contribute to development of various products. Owing to endeavours to manufacture without buffer stocks and to sell without output stocks, deliveries must arrive within very narrow margins. Too early delivery is often as serious as too late delivery. There must be high flexibility so that normal time schedules and capacity requirements can be changed at short notice. It must be possible to know where a consignment is at any time. The buyer of transport services want to control transport so that wastage and damage due to terminal handling are avoided. To receive goods with a low damage frequency is competitive; damage to goods disrupts just-in time (JIT) production. Demands that transport services should be reasonably priced will probably continue, although firms that can offer high transport quality will command a good price if they can convince customers that the service offered results in gains in material flow or production. There is a clear trend for transport companies to become service companies, with customs clearance, precise deliveries, storage and distribution.