Comparison of Delay Characteristics for Freight Trains and Long-Distance Ferries

抄録

In Japanese freight transport, long-distance truck deliveries are becoming increasingly difficult to make because of the shortage of truck drivers. Therefore, a modal shift in logistics has emerged as a key policy issue facing the Japanese transport industry. Japanese transport polices are promoting the use of long-distance ferries and freight trains instead of trucks. Although ferries and freight trains are efficient means of transport, their schedules are not as flexible as those of trucks, and an alternative means of transport is not easily available in case of delays or cancellations.In this study, we acquired and analyzed one-year worth of data on operational conditions of long-distance ferries and freight trains in Japan. The results showed that there were 7.2% delays of more than 15 min in long-distance ferries (880 of 12,273 arrivals). Additionally, delays of more than 60 min occurred approximately 2.9% of the time (359 out of 12,273 arrivals). In contrast, there were 7.2% delays of more than 15 min in freight trains (7,464 of 103,320 arrivals). Additionally, delays of more than 60 min occurred 6.0% of the time (6,226 out of 103,320 arrivals). Using these data, we analyzed the characteristics of operational conditions and clarified the factors causing delays and cancellations.