Road Freight Transport : Transport Purchasing and Environmental Impacts

Abstract: This paper on the environmental impacts of transport purchasing in road freight is to highlight how the adaptive capability of transport chains are affected through collaboration and the aim for sustainability through political regulations and societal demands.This paper is divided into a theoretical framework and an empirical study, followed by the analysis, conclusions and discussions based on the framework and empirical study.The theoretical framework will discuss the different aspects of road freight transport which impact the environment and show the interdependencies of each aspect.The analysis will highlight the empirical chapter with a comparison of the theoretical framework in order to make substantial conclusions.Conclusions among others are that standardization is needed although flexibility and agility is also needed. By standardizing processes, routine measures can be implemented and it creates a sense of certainty within the company. Agility and flexibility can be achieved by adding modular processes which can be implemented if the need for customization arises.Governmental involvement is necessary for the development of infrastructure to minimize traffic congestion and improve the infrastructure for increased reliability, accessibility, and flexibility. By developing the rail infrastructure, a larger share of goods can be transferred via railway and thus reduce the environmental impacts of road freight through intermodal transportation.