Different indices can be used to measure the utilization of vehicle fleets, each giving a different impression of transport efficiency. Few are listed
- Tonne-kilometres per vehicle per annum – This index generally presents the trucking industry in a positive light. It is essentially a productivity indicator, measuring the average amount of work done annually by trucks.
- Weight-based loading factor – This is generally expressed as the ratio of the actual weight of goods carried to the maximum weight that could have been carried on a laden trip. When this ratio is plotted through time, a less rosy picture of transport efficiency emerges.
- Space-utilization – Many low-density products fill the available vehicle space (or ‘cube out’) long before the maximum permitted weight is reached. In sectors characterized by low-density products, weight-based load factors tend to underestimate the true level of utilization. Where there are tight limits on the stacking height of the product, loading is usually constrained much more by the available deck area than by the cubic capacity.
Empty running – The most obvious form of vehicle under-utilization is empty running. Empty running generally occurs when operators are unable to find a return load. Unlike passengers, who usually return to their starting point, most freight travels only in one direction.