Forecasting the demand for transport services on the example of a selected logistic operator

Abstract

The number of shipments is growing every year, and as a result, new transport companies arise. The increase in competition requires from entrepreneurs to apply solutions increasing the level of services provided in order to best satisfy the needs of the customers. In this aspect, minimizing the time of deliveries is extremely important, and it can be achieved, for example, by implementing the cross-docking method. It consists in consolidation of cargo from different shipment locations that is delivered in the same direction. The main feature of the above method is to keep the labor intensity of operations and the interference in the cargo to the minimum. The purpose of this article is to present a research on a logistic operator working based on a cross-docking warehouse with a capacity significantly lower than the average daily quantity of shipments handled. This requires both effective management of the available space and minimizing the time spent on manipulation activities. Therefore, it is important to know the expected number of parcels that are planned to be received and shipped on a given day in order to coordinate the work in the warehouse. It is possible to estimate it by using mathematical methods of forecasting. One of them - the multiple regression - is presented in this article. The calculations were made on the basis of collected empirical observations concerning orders for pallet spaces placed by customers. Such a forecast allows for improvement of the processes of planning and management of the possessed resources. It allows to adjust the number of warehouse workers or vehicles necessary for internal transport to the expected needs. Ultimately, it may translate into more efficient functioning not only of the surveyed branch, but also of the whole network.