Three main types of institution are interested in the determinants of freight transport modal choice — the government, the carrier and the shipper. Researchers have emphasized the importance of understanding the decision‐making procedures of actors involved in freight modal choice (e.g. Meyburg 1979, Roberts 1971). This requires the development of behavioural models and the paper is a review of the state of the art in such modelling.

    Most models can be included under two main prevailing orthodoxies. First, there are models which assume that modal choice is based on some form of short‐term cost optimization by the shipper. This approach may be called ‘economic positivism’ since it assumes that modal choice is determined by economic or cost variables. Second, there are models which assume that modal choice is based on relationships between physical aspects of the transport system (e.g. speed, frequency) and physical aspects of the product (e.g. perishability, value‐weight ratio): This approach may be called ‘technological positivism’ since it assumes that modal choice is determined by technological variables. In addition, there is a third broad approach to the study of freight modal choice which bases its assumptions on the perceptions of members of shipper‐organizations, particularly transport managers. This approach may be called the ‘perceptual approach’.

    The review examines empirical studies undertaken in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. Particular areas for discussion are the assumptions of the disciplines from which the models are drawn and the relevant unit of analysis (e.g. the firm, the individual person, the consignment).


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Behavioural approaches to freight transport modal choice


    Contributors:
    Gray, R. (author)

    Published in:

    Transport Reviews ; 2 , 2 ; 161-184


    Publication date :

    1982-04-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown



    Determinants of modal choice in freight transport

    Jeffs, Vivien P / Hills, Peter J | Online Contents | 1990


    Investigation of Inland Freight Transport Modal Choice in Greece

    Moschovou, T. P. / Giannopoulos, G. A. | Transportation Research Record | 2010



    Changes in transport user's motivations for modal choice : freight transport ; report

    European Conference of Ministers of Transport / Round Table on Transport Economics | TIBKAT | 1985


    INTER-MODAL FREIGHT TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND INTER-MODAL FREIGHT TRANSPORT METHOD

    ROH HONG-SEUNG / HUR SUNG-HO / SHIN SEUNG-JIN et al. | European Patent Office | 2020

    Free access