Making Schedule

Variables That Can Affect Making Schedule

Making Schedule

There are many variables that affect the nature of a shipment schedule. Today we will explore three:

•Transporting perishables, •Team driving, and •Road conditions

Perishables

Every minute in transit reduces the value of the product to the customer.

After harvesting, fruits and vegetables continue to "live and breathe", consuming oxygen and producing carbon dioxide.

Perishables

This respiration means a loss of sweetness and a change in texture in most produce

The major effect of respiration is heat generation, which speeds up all other forms of deterioration.

PerishablesControlling the following can reduce

deterioration of perishables:– Temperature of the air– Cooling

The simplest and most powerful technique for minimizing deterioration. Cooling fresh produce should begin as quickly as possible after harvest.

– Humidity A low relative humidity will cause desiccation (water loss) and

weight loss of the product. A high relative humidity can encourage bacteria and mold.

Perishables

Poor circulation can affect the commodity’s temperature, relative humidity and weight loss. If a cargo is "hot" (not adequately pre-cooled) it is essential that there is an adequate air flow to cool the produce as quickly as possible.

Adapted from Orient Overseas Container Line Limited’s web site

Logistics

When shipping meat, produce, or seafood, there are logistics to organize:– Compare time and cost trade-offs

Check different route options to find the shortest possible route/transit time

Get quotes from the freight forwarders Analyze the number of movements of the goods Calculate the total journey time (door to door).

Logistics

More factors to research:– Quality procedures from farm gate to end

customer, to insure freshness & quality; – The ideal temperature environment for the

product at each stage of the journey; – The customer's/supplier's transport preference;

Logistics

Good practices:– Communicate to all parties through the entire transport

chain the handling requirements--ideal temperature environment, labeling for the products;

– Have copies of licenses, permits, approvals and export documentation ready;

– Carefully assess the costs of inspections, licenses, permits, and the potential impact of transit delays so there is a true picture of the margins before committing to contracts.

Logistics

In choosing a logistics team, consider: – Online tracking and tracing cargo;– Ensure environmental equipment is available and

tested; – Have on-the-ground people ready to sort out issues-

check their contacts (email, phone numbers & back up information) before the goods move.

Adapted from Expatriate Connect-- expatriateconnect.com

Team Driving

Team driving is a consideration when perishables need transported via ground to a location greater than 11 hours away.– Individual driving time is limited to 11 hours

driving with 10 hour breaks. – Dispatchers/shippers like the efficiency and

expediency of teams.

Team Driving

It is essential to find a compatible co-driver, someone who you can get along with and get the job done.

It helps to live in the same town so home time can be worked out. If you want to be at home, the other driver has to agree to it. What if they want to stay out longer?

Team Driving

Pros Possibility of more consistent freight and

mileage—resulting in a higher paycheck. If getting home isn't a priority, the team can

stop and "vacation" anywhere. (Or schedule sightseeing into the trips) 

Team Driving

Cons Sleep in a moving truck can be difficult if you are

sensitive to high noise levels or vibration. If your teammate is sick, you may soon be sick. You can't necessarily stop when you want. Out of respect for the other driver’s sleep, you

may not be able to turn on the radio when you want.

Team Driving

Cons Sleep in a moving truck can be difficult if you are

sensitive to high noise levels or vibration. If your teammate is sick, you may soon be sick. You can't necessarily stop when you want. Out of respect for the other driver’s sleep, you

may not be able to turn on the radio when you want.

Road Conditions

Road conditions pose many opportunities to affect the driver’s schedule, mostly creating delays…

“Gain time” situations:– Shortcuts– Unexpectedly better weather

Road Conditions

“Lose time” situations:– Construction projects– Weather (rain, ice, snow)– Detours– Helping others (flat tires, stranded, mechanical problems)– Animals on the road– Police action– Road closure (Fallen trees, rock slides, road washouts, etc.)

Road Conditions

“Lose time” situations:– Most are outside of the driver’s control– Drivers willingly help others

Road Conditions

Lost time countermeasures:– Reschedule driving breaks, if possible– Reschedule driving times, to avoid heavy traffic– Re-route to more direct path (may involve more toll roads)

– Drivers collaborate and help determine new routes, especially if road closures are more than a few hours

Familiarity of local area Access to information

Summary

There are many variables that affect the nature of a shipment schedule. We explored three:

• Transporting perishables, • Team driving, and • Road conditions

Can you name some others?