Eurelo Tech Know-How
The advantages and disadvantages of road transport - when is it worth choosing?
Road transport is usually the first solution that comes to mind for decision-makers when it comes to delivering new equipment to a manufacturing company, machinery to a construction site, or other large cargoes. The transportation of goods by trucks is favored by the increasingly better road infrastructure. However, does this form work in every situation? Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of road transport and find out if this solution is right for your company.
What are the advantages of road transport?
Transporting goods by trucks is popular for a reason. What are the advantages of road transport to keep in mind? These include:
- Easy accessibility - there are many transport companies with various profiles of activity on the Polish market. This allows you to easily choose one whose offer fits your expectations.
- Wide applicability - truck trailers are adapted to transport so-called general cargo (goods of small mass), products requiring cooling, dangerous goods, and many others.
- Flexibility - the popularity of this form of transport offers many possibilities. Goods can be transported in full-vehicle deliveries or transported together with other clients' products. The route can then be established to include deliveries to individual companies - this can help reduce costs.
- Ability to use existing road infrastructure - trucks only need a rich network of highways, expressways, and local roads. This can result in lower costs compared to maritime or rail transport, where port terminals, sidings, and stations are used.
Disadvantages of road transport.
Transporting goods by road should not be seen as a universal solution that will work in every industry. And although among the advantages and disadvantages of road transport the former definitely prevail, it is worth mentioning the less favorable aspects.
When considering using road freight, remember that this form of transport may be associated with:
- Longer delivery times - this applies primarily to situations where transport is carried out over longer distances (over several thousand kilometers, for example, on intercontinental routes) or where the road infrastructure in a given country is low.
- Low profitability in situations where goods of large volume and mass are transported. In such cases, maritime or rail transport may be a more economical solution.
- Risk of accidents - due to heavy traffic on popular routes, car accidents are among the most common. They occur much more frequently than air or rail accidents. Trucks can also experience breakdowns that prevent further transport of goods.
- Greater environmental pollution - if ecology is important to you, it is worth noting that individual transport, including trucks, produces more emissions and generates a larger carbon footprint than public transport.
What factors determine the profitability of road transport of goods?
Distance between the starting and ending points on the route
Is there a specific value above which road transport of goods becomes unprofitable? It would be difficult to estimate the exact number of kilometers - apart from distance, the profitability of this form of transport is also influenced by the condition of roads, additional fees for using highways, and other factors. It is estimated that transporting goods by trucks is the most economical form on routes ranging from several hundred to several thousand kilometers.
Type of transported goods
In the case of road transport, the advantages and disadvantages will also depend on the type of goods. An important advantage of road transport is the ability to transport non-standard loads that require special conditions. This includes perishable food products, oversized goods, or hazardous materials. The wide variety of vehicle types and trailers allows for the safe transport of such goods. In such cases, road transport is less costly than maritime or rail transport.
Road transport of goods as a supplement to other forms
Transporting goods by trucks can also complement air or rail transport. It is rare for an airport or railway station to be close enough to the destination point to avoid the need for road transport. If you want to transport goods over a long distance, it is worth combining two forms: air or rail transport for most of the route, and road transport for the final stage.
Is road transport worth choosing? Check it out for yourself.
In road transport, the advantages and disadvantages are often a matter of individual consideration and should be evaluated as such. What may be beneficial for one industry may be a hindrance for another.
However, there are certain common elements to consider. Before deciding on the type of transport, think about what matters most to you. Is it the fastest delivery? Cost reduction in transportation? Or perhaps safety or environmentally friendly transport is crucial to you? Finding answers to these questions will help you assess whether road transport is the optimal solution for your company.
Do you want to learn more about this topic? Contact us - we will gladly provide details and clarify any doubts.