Transportation Planning & Logistics Flashcards

Which routing problem seeks the shortest route that visits each stop exactly once and returns to the origin?

Answer: Traveling salesman problem

The traveling salesman problem finds the minimum-distance tour visiting every stop once.

What is 'demurrage' in ocean and rail transportation?

Answer: A charge for keeping a container or railcar beyond the allowed free time

Demurrage penalizes delayed return or release of carrier equipment past free time.

Which intermodal service places truck trailers or containers on rail flatcars?

Answer: TOFC/COFC

Trailer-on-flatcar and container-on-flatcar combine rail line haul with truck pickup and delivery.

In the center-of-gravity method for facility location, what are locations weighted by?

Answer: Volume or demand shipped to each point

The center-of-gravity method weights coordinates by shipment volume to minimize transportation distance.

A carrier's on-time delivery drops and claims rise. Which tool is most appropriate for formally tracking this?

Answer: Carrier scorecard with KPIs

Carrier scorecards measure on-time performance, claims, and other KPIs to manage carrier relationships.

Reverse logistics primarily deals with which flow?

Answer: Returns, repairs, recycling, and disposal moving back from customers

Reverse logistics manages product and material flows back upstream after sale.

Which strategy delays final configuration or labeling until a customer order is received, reducing inventory risk?

Answer: Postponement

Postponement holds generic inventory and customizes late, often at a distribution center.