Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Purpose The main goal of this research program is to provide insights into potential benefits of collaboration among companies in a transportation context. To achieve this goal, the research program will illustrate the conditions under which collaborative transportation (CT) is more effective by quantifying its obtained benefits (e.g. in terms of a higher profit). The key novelty of this work is in conducting rigorous and objective assessments from the perspectives of both clients of transportation services and transport providers (carriers).Nature of the workTo provide a good understanding of the benefits of CT, the research program has four short-term research objectives (ROs): (1) quantify the benefits of collaboration from the perspective of a truckload carrier with important practical considerations, (2) study the value of collaboration where information can change after being received by a carrier (e.g., a client cancels his/her order), (3) examine the potential benefits of collaboration on the performance of a client of transportation services, and (4) assess how two competing carriers in a transportation market can improve their profits through collaboration. To accomplish each RO, a variety of tasks must be completed: reviewing relevant studies, collecting field data, formulating the problem under investigation, developing solution methods and evaluating their performance, designing experiments, applying statistical methods, documenting all these tasks, and writing reports to targeted audiences. Using diverse research methods (e.g., simulation, analytical approaches) is essential in attaining the ROs. Applying different methods along with various tasks makes the proposed program suitable for training highly qualified personnel at different levels, from undergraduate to PhD students. Importance of the workThe outcomes of the proposed program are of significant importance to the academic community and practitioners worldwide, and Canadians in particular. 1-This program will contribute to the academic literature by providing insights into potential benefits of CT for logistics partners and developing tailored solution methods to attain each RO. 2-The obtained result is of great interest to practitioners because it reveals the conditions under which potential benefits are higher as well as their magnitude. 3-Due to natural imbalances in demand and supply, low utilization of trucks in long-haul transportation is an issue, particularly in Canada where land is vast and the population is sparse. Since the application of research outcomes is anticipated to lower transportation costs, the Canadian trucking industry will benefit, positively impacting Canadians through the provision of more affordable goods and services. 4-Through improving trucks utilization, this program aims to reduce fuel consumption, which is an important step towards a greener environment.