Solutions to the transport emission problems, especially CO2, have mostly focused on the development of infrastructure, vehicle technologies and alternative fuels. However, it has also been observed that technology improvements alone will not be sufficient to cope with the emission reduction challenges and that both transport providers and shippers have to change their systems and how they operate.
How companies purchase their transport services has a major impact on the transport sector. Although the procurements overall importance for the efficiency of the transport system at large, transport procurement is in many companies not viewed or managed as a strategic issue. The Transport Procurement Panel investigates the progress of transport procurement among Swedish companies and tries to influence the development in a positive direction. The work is based on an interaction between industry and academia. Together we can create better conditions for:
- More efficient purchasing
- More efficient logistics
- Reduced environmental impact of transport
The Transport Procurement Panel is based on a long-term collaboration between IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg.
What a sustainable transport purchase means
Efficient transport is of crucial importance for Swedish industry and for Sweden as an export nation. Through good transport purchases, we create the conditions for cost-effective and environmentally friendly transport. IVL, Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg work together to increase knowledge about how transport services are purchased by companies in Sweden. The construction of a transport database is the basis for developing methods for more efficient transport purchases.
Every two years since 2012, a major survey is conducted, in which the following areas are investigated:
- Transport flows
- Transport purchaser's requirements
- Agreement
- Choice of transport modes
- Environmental aspects of transport
- Cooperation with transporters
- Future Reconnaissance
Please, do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in participating or finding out more about our work!
- Associate Professor, Supply and Operations Management, Technology Management and Economics
The transport purchasing database
Chalmers University of Technology, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and University of Gothenburg have created a transport purchasing database. The database is primarily based on a survey that is being sent out every second year, where the first one was conducted in 2012. The population comprised Swedish manufacturing and wholesale companies with more than 100 employees. The survey contains 34 main questions with several sub-questions, and includes various aspects on transport purchasing: requirements on transport solutions and transport providers, transport mode selection, environmental aspects, relationships with transport providers and future developments. The construction of a transport database forms the basis for the development of methods for more efficient transport purchases.
There is great use of the database for researchers, students, governments and industries. For the academy, the database is a knowledge source for research and education. For authorities and the industry it can lead to a deeper knowledge on transport and purchase related activities, which, for example, can contribute to decision making. The collaboration between academia and industry implies that we together can work towards more environmental efficient transport.