Pearson BTEC Level 3 Operational Management of Road Transport Report

This report provides a thorough examination of operational management within the road transport sector. It commences by outlining crucial factors in route planning, such as route selection, scheduling, and the impact of loads, while also considering vehicle availability, staffing, and contingency planning. The report then delves into effective vehicle and staff utilization to optimize route plans, followed by an enumeration of essential factors for planning and monitoring operational activities, including staffing levels, work schedules, and time management. Furthermore, it details how quality of service is incorporated into operational scheduling, emphasizing internal and external agency services, client communication, and service improvement documentation. The report also explains adjustments that can be implemented to enhance customer service quality. The second part of the report addresses legal, safety, and operating requirements for vehicles and loads, including abnormal load regulations and vehicle dimensions. It analyzes the implications of these requirements on safety and efficient delivery. The report then identifies security requirements for vehicles, loads, and individuals, providing real-time examples, and concludes by explaining security risks and offering recommendations for improvements. The report's conclusion emphasizes the importance of adhering to laws, dimensions, and regular driver checklists to mitigate risks and ensure operational efficiency.

Operational Management of
Road Transport

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 (P1, P2, P3, M1, M2)........................................................................................................1
P1 Explaining factors to be considered when developing route plan with supported examples. 1
M1 Analysing effective use of vehicles and staff considered in developing route plan.............2
P2 Enumerating fundamental factors considered in planning and monitoring operational
activity.........................................................................................................................................2
P3 Describing how quality of service is incorporated into operating scheduling in various
factors..........................................................................................................................................2
M2 Explaining how adjustments can be initiated in offering quality services to customers......3
TASK 2 (P4, P5, P6, M3)................................................................................................................3
P4 Describing legal, safety and operating requirements for vehicles and loads.........................3
M3 Analysing implications of legal, safety and operating requirements for vehicles and loads 4
P5 Identifying security requirements of vehicles, loads and individuals including real time
examples......................................................................................................................................4
P6 Explaining security risks of vehicles and loads and making recommendations for
improvements..............................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Operational management of road transport needs to be fully equipped with necessary
measures. Present report deals with road transport rules, regulations regarding operations of
business delivering packages at doorstep of customers. Factors considered for developing route,
legality, security and safety requirements are enumerated in the report.
TASK 1 (P1, P2, P3, M1, M2)
P1 Explaining factors to be considered when developing route plan with supported examples
There are certain factors which are to be considered when developing route plan which are
listed below-
Route, Schedule, effect of load on selection of route-
The selection of route needs to be centred to delivery of goods efficiently over last mile. The
delivery schedule is required to be framed in a manner so that minimum time is met by
delivering goods (Postance, Hillier, Dijkstra and Dixon, 2017). The congestion on narrow streets
and roads are kept in mind because effect of load depends on route selection.
Obtaining maps, major and minor roads-
For delivery of goods on stipulated time, obtaining information through is required for exact
delivery. Following by this, major road and minor roads are determined to develop route plan.
Potential problem such as traffic on roads, congestion on such roads are evaluated as well
(Akgün and Monios, 2018).
Information needs, availability/currency-
The information needs and payment in concern currency are required to be determined.
Freight routing information is required in which pre-planned route to cover collections and
deliveries are made. This reduces driver’s stress and journey time is shortened and payments are
made.
Vehicles availability and staff and contingent factors-
Business should manage vehicle availability in fleet. Accordingly, order from customers can
be taken so that no delay in services may be attained (Cottrill, 2017). Drivers should not be
allotted with same work at similar route else wastage of staff resources is done. Contingency can
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occur such as road works, closed roads, vehicle breakdown etc. For example, due to rains, road
may be blocked, hence different routes should be ready to ensure deliveries.
M1 Analysing effective use of vehicles and staff considered in developing route plan
The vehicles and staff should be well-equipped with handling route plan towards
destination. This will enhance proper of use of both resources (Johnson, 2017). Furthermore,
freight routing should be done and congestions on streets or roads and diversions must be kept in
mind while developing route plan in effective way.
P2 Enumerating fundamental factors considered in planning and monitoring operational activity
Fundamental factors in planning and monitoring an operational activity are listed below-
Staffing levels-
It is the backbone of business to have right numbers of right people, in the right place and
also at the right time. Staffing level should possess necessary skills, competencies and
experience to drive goods safely to customers (Monios and Bergqvist, 2017).
Work schedules-
The work schedules should be flexible enough so that there are drivers and other associates
on time to meet delivery. Working time means person spends at paid labour. While, hours per
day and days per week are termed as work schedules. Thus, drivers should be routed in flexible
schedules to make most of productivity to firm.
Time Management-
The time management is the duty of Transport Manager to coordinate with drivers and make
sure that deliveries are met on time. Certain flexibility must be provided so that in contingent
situations, deliveries can be made without any hesitation.
Operating needs and constraints in operating activity
The operating needs are capabilities, performance measurement and processes required
address deficiencies, new evolving techniques, threats which might affect entire operating
activity (Genovese, 2017). On the other hand, constraints in operating implies operational
limitations for road transport business, traditional constraints which are to be wiped away for
ensuring smooth deliveries. This will eradicate bottlenecks in operating activity and maximum
efficiency can be accomplished in the best manner possible.
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P3 Describing how quality of service is incorporated into operating scheduling in various factors
Quality of service by taking following factors-
Services provided by internal personnel and external agencies
The employee acts as internal supplier to customers within firm that receives goods from
them. This means that staff is directed to initiate quality services as they are in touch of
customers be it internal or external. On the other hand, success in agency partnership which is
external enhances building relationship on mutual respect (Harrop, 2018). Thus, road transport
business can ensure quality of service in operations through both of them.
Importance of effective communication with client
Communication with receiver is crucial, if dialogue between both staff and customer is not
good, dissatisfaction occurs. Phone call should be made between drivers or via traffic office and
customer, for helping to locate Point of Delivery and thus, sustainable route can be attained.
Apart from it, if complaints occur, then problem should be resolved by looking causes of any
such issues faced by customers. Lastly, they should be given complimentary benefits of future
deliveries to enhance their satisfaction.
Documentation to improve services
Improving upon services is necessary so that business may be able to maximise its customer
base and more type of additional services can be offered. In addition to this, safety inspection can
be done in accordance to Road Authority of Scottish government (Planning and Managing
Effective Customer Deliveries. 2010). It is required to properly inspect speeds especially on
footways. Thus, through such document, services can be improved.
M2 Explaining how adjustments can be initiated in offering quality services to customers
Adjustments can be made in both work schedules and staffing levels by allowing permit to
make deliveries at any time. Offering flexible schedules to staff would enhance satisfaction level
of people internally and they will offer quality service to customers in return. Hence, such
adjustments will enhance quality level with ease.
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TASK 2 (P4, P5, P6, M3)
P4 Describing legal, safety and operating requirements for vehicles and loads
The abnormal loads and vehicles are prohibited by Scottish government in order to meet
safety, legal and operating requirements in the country. Anyone intending to move an abnormal
load in Scotland has legal obligation to immediately notify Chief Officer of Scotland (Abnormal
Loads and Agricultural Vehicles. 2019). On the other hand, dimensions of abnormal indivisible
loads are meet when width equals 2.9 m, weight is more than 44,000 kg, length is 18.65 m rigid
length or 25.9 m overall. On the other side, vehicles are prohibited if such dimensions are met.
Width of 3 m, distance is 5 miles or more, speed limit of 40mph or less on any road and
projection exceeds 4m (front or rear).
The width is considered as overall width which includes lateral projection or projection of
load carried on the same vehicle (Grigolato, Mologni and Cavalli, 2017). Thus, it can be said that
according to Scottish government, these demands are to be met or else vehicles and loads above
than these dimensions are considered to be abnormal. These ways are used to ensure safety at
roads, no accident is taken place and people are provided with desired goods at their doorstep.
Parking and loading regulations should be adhered to. Hence, parking or unloading of vehicles
can be done. Apart from it, CO2 emissions are to be controlled so as to reduce environmental
impact.
M3 Analysing implications of legal, safety and operating requirements for vehicles and loads
The implications of legal, safety and operating requirements for loads and vehicles will
enhance safety of pedestrians passing by (Taylor and Bonsall, 2017). On the other hand, road
accidents will minimise up to a major extent. Further, delivery of shipments at customer’s
doorstep would be accomplished without any obstacles. Adherence to vehicle and load
dimensions will flourish organization’s business.
P5 Identifying security requirements of vehicles, loads and individuals including real time
examples
Security requirements of vehicles
The vehicles carrying goods must be properly intact so that business may be able to deliver
goods on time (Chatterjee, 2017). If goods are not tightened on vehicles, objects may fall on the
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roads causing fatal accidents. Apart from it, vehicles should be allowed weight according to its
capacity and should not be more than Scottish government’s legal rules; else it is classified as
abnormal vehicles. Driver should be completing “Vehicle Safety Checklist” including measures
like oil, water, lights, tyres, load restraint and security.
Security requirements of loads
The loading should be made in a logical manner so as to unload the same at customer’s
doorstep. For deliveries in urban areas, HGV sitting at kerbside more than necessary could easily
lead to danger to pedestrians and other vehicles passing by (Speight, 2018). If vehicles are
loaded by someone else, driver should inspect load is safely secured and deliveries are made on
time. Before departure, safety should be checked by Supervisor or Transport Manager to avoid
any shortcomings.
Security requirements of individuals
Individuals should be secured with proper vehicles so that they deliver packages in a better
way (Whiteing, Coyle and Bamford, 2017). Security can be accomplished like heavy objects
should be low down on the load bed, further only stack those goods which are suitable for
stacking and make use of extra straps on items if perishable in nature. Moreover, individuals
must be tested with proper route map of destination, else wastage of resources are made. For
example, GPS tracking of goods can be made starting from order placement till estimated time of
delivery. Customers can track real time delivery as well and company is able to track the
shipment.
P6 Explaining security risks of vehicles and loads and making recommendations for
improvements
The security risks are many of vehicles and loads which make road transport operations to
worry up to certain extent. The government has made measures which should be adopted so as to
alleviate any security risks. Accidents, deaths and injuries are commonly found on roads when
loading vehicles passes by (Hine and Mitchell, 2017). In freight, incidents of falling objects on
roads were being noticed in past recent years. Severe injuries were received causing them to keep
off from work for several days.
It is recommended to improve operations; vehicle and loads legal regulations should be
followed as per dimensions. “Vehicle Safety Checklist” should be made at each time vehicle is
departed so that any shortcomings identified may be overcome immediately. Thus,
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improvements can be made. Moreover, drivers should be encouraged to report misses and
damaged equipment. Never rely on curtain sides for holding load in place.
CONCLUSION
Hereby it can be concluded that road transport operations are to be attained in accordance to
laws stipulated from time to time. Dimensions of loads and vehicles eases off difficulty ensuring
safety, security and legality are met in the best manner possible. On the other side, staffing levels
and work schedules are met easily. Lastly, driver’s checklist done on regular basis is helpful for
mitigating risks.
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REFERENCES
Abnormal Loads and Agricultural Vehicles. (2019). [Online] Available Through: <
https://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/abnormal-loads-agricultural-dispensation> [Accessed
on 12 August 2019].
Akgün, E. Z. and Monios, J., (2018). Institutional influences on the development of urban freight
transport policies by local authorities. In Advances in Transport Policy and Planning (Vol. 1, pp.
169-195). Academic Press.
Chatterjee, K., (2017). Transport lessons from the fuel tax protests of 2000. Routledge.
Cottrill, C., (2017). Tweeting Transit: An examination of social media strategies for transport
information management during a large event. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging
Technologies, 77, pp.421-432.
Genovese, A., (2017). Sustainable supply chain management and the transition towards a circular
economy: Evidence and some applications. Omega, 66, pp.344-357.
Grigolato, S., Mologni, O. and Cavalli, R., (2017). GIS applications in forest operations and road
network planning: An overview over the last two decades. Croatian Journal of Forest
Engineering: Journal for Theory and Application of Forestry Engineering, 38(2), pp.175-186.
Harrop, O., (2018). Air quality assessment and management: A practical guide. CRC Press.
Hine, J. and Mitchell, F., (2017). Transport disadvantage and social exclusion: exclusionary
mechanisms in transport in urban Scotland. Routledge.
Johnson, R., (2017). European national government approaches to older people's transport
system needs. Transport policy, 59, pp.17-27.
Monios, J. and Bergqvist, R., (2017). Intermodal freight transport and logistics. CRC Press.
Planning and Managing Effective Customer Deliveries. (2010). [Online] Available Through:
<https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/14342/planning_and_managing_effective_customer_deli
veries.pdf>. [Accessed on 12 August 2019].
Postance, B., Hillier, J., Dijkstra, T. and Dixon, N., (2017). Extending natural hazard impacts: an
assessment of landslide disruptions on a national road transportation network. Environmental
Research Letters, 12(1), p.014010.
Speight, L., (2018). Developing surface water flood forecasting capabilities in Scotland: an
operational pilot for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Journal of Flood Risk
Management, 11, pp.S884-S901.
Taylor, M. A. and Bonsall, P. W., (2017). Understanding traffic systems: data analysis and
presentation. Routledge.
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Whiteing, T., Coyle, M. and Bamford, C., (2017). 10 Effective Fuel Management in Road
Transport Fleets. Transport Lessons from the Fuel Tax Protests of 2000, p.205.
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