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Introduction
to UNESCAP Time/Cost - Distance Methodology |
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Click on any of the icons below
for more information
An introductory slide
show |
What is the model?
The UNESCAP
“Time/Cost - Distance Methodology” is a practical and simple way of
illustrating the time and costs involved in the transportation process. Click the
presentation on the slide show for an illustrative explanation. Once you have read
through the explanation on this page you can try plotting a graph using the spreadsheet below in the left column with your own data. |
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Click below
Examples of the model being used in the UNESCAP region |
The transport line The transport line
is the visual representation of the transport process, and is clearly
illustrated in all the graphs as the plotted line (see slide
show explanation). The diagonal transport line represents
progress towards the destination, the flatter (i.e. more horizontal) the line
the most time/cost efficient the mode of transport. For every intermodal transfer point and/or border crossing, there
is likely to be a time and/or cost increase. The model can show clearly the
most time consuming or costly parts of a shipment by simple vertical lines.
The steeper the transport line the more inefficient or costly the mode of
transport. If the transport
line becomes vertical then this shows either a bottleneck in the transport
process or excessive costs when compared to the overall transport chain, the
longer the vertical line the bigger the problem. Identifying when and where
problems occur is the first step in finding a solution. Contained in
the slide show presentation is a real-life example of the model in use on a
rail link between
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Click below
An Excel Spreadsheet to automatically
create your own model
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How to
tailor the model for your own use
To begin with keep
it simple. Data can be an initial estimate by a freight forwarder or
transport operator for an individual consignment or, even an average figure.
Once the data is entered into the spreadsheet opposite a graph will be automatically produced. You may even
experiment using the hypothetical data in the example given to familiarize
yourself with the workings of the model. It is best to look
at one route or one particular shipment of goods. The minimum information
needed is route, mode and distance plus either time or cost. Follow the 5
basic steps as we have done below. Step 1 Establish the route you are going to examine i.e. A
to B via C and D (or as in the above example in Figure 3 we have used Tianjin to Ulaanbaatar
via the Erenhot and Zamyn
Uud border). Step 2 Ascertain what modes of transport are
being used on your route (e.g. Road/Rail). Step 3 Calculate the Distance between all the
points (e,g. Step 4 Check how long it takes for the goods to
reach each point (e,g. Step 5 Ascertain how much of the total cost is
taken up by each leg of the journey, modal transfer, border crossing or other
cost/tolls that are encountered. (e,g. For the model to
work at least the first three steps outlined above, plus either step four
and/or five must be followed. Once you
have identified a route and gathered the data, use the spreadsheet above to enter the data and the graphs will be
produced automatically. |
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Additional functions of the model
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