Land transport logistics, how could it be otherwise, has its own peculiarities when compared to air or sea transport. They are not the same recipients, the same way of delivering the merchandise, the same legislation, the same vehicles… Many differences. But this time we want to focus on three of them that in our opinion are especially significant.

Characteristics of land transport logistics
Door to door shipments

Ground transportation is the one that arrives at your door. Whether this is the dock of a large commercial area or the threshold of a private home. This characteristic, which may appear to be obvious or go unnoticed, means that land transport has to be present in the final leg of shipments. Regardless of the method used for the rest of the journey.

For example, maritime transport is the one that moves the most tons of merchandise in the world. However, companies will always need land transport logistics to complete the transits.

This also means having to carry out more unusual tasks in other types of transport. Reaching individuals is among them. Changes in schedules, particularities, absences… It is part of the day-to-day logistics of land transport.
Hourly limitations on driving

One of the most characteristic features of land transport logistics is the tachograph. This device is responsible for measuring the hours of driving -and other activities, such as vehicle maintenance or waiting- carried out by transport professionals. This time is legally limited, which affects transit and route design.

Rest stops affect merchandise. Although there are ways to try to “eliminate” these pauses in the merchandise. The most common thing is to play with the merchandise arriving on a day off from one distribution center to another, where it can be loaded onto other vehicles. Less common but very present, especially when there is an emergency, is the use of a double driver, so that they take turns.
Flexibility in land transport logistics

Air, sea and rail transport (although the latter is also land) tend to have less capacity to be flexible than road transport. First of all, because of the schedules. Shipping companies, train lines and planes usually have fixed and/or scheduled departures well in advance. In these cases it is more difficult to adapt this to the needs of the clients.

Planes and ships do not wait for the client’s last pallet to arrive, while in land transport, even if there are limits, it is easier to adapt the schedules, find a new vehicle to deliver the merchandise, etc.

Even though they are all transport, in this article we hope we have given you a small perspective of how they can vary from one to the other. From major issues such as legal, to those that may go unnoticed, such as final deliveries to individuals.

Related Posts

• Christmas and the last mile in logistics
• Three important aspects in delivery logistics
• How to hire pallet transport agencies
• How to prepare your pallets with merchandise
• Three factors in the ground transportation service