Transport segmentation refers to the division of a transport route into smaller, manageable sections.
According to the provided reference, a transport segment can be defined as a portion of a Transport Route between two Transport Nodes, or a segment that starts and finishes at the same Transport Node.
Understanding Transport Segmentation
In essence, transport segmentation breaks down a longer journey or route into distinct segments. These segments are typically defined by Transport Nodes.
What are Transport Nodes?
Transport nodes are key points along a route. They can be:
- Intermodal hubs (e.g., ports, airports, rail yards)
- Warehouses or distribution centers
- Key intersections or checkpoints
- Starting or ending points of a route
Types of Transport Segments
Based on the definition, we can identify two main types of transport segments:
- Segment between two nodes: This is the most common type, representing the journey taken between two distinct transport nodes. For example, the road trip segment between City A (Node 1) and City B (Node 2).
- Segment starting and finishing at the same node: This type might represent a local delivery loop originating and ending at a distribution center (Node 1), or perhaps a segment representing activities at a node itself before moving on.
Why is Segmentation Used?
Transport segmentation is a fundamental concept in logistics and supply chain management for several reasons:
- Planning: It simplifies the planning of complex routes and schedules.
- Management: Allows for easier tracking, monitoring, and management of specific parts of a journey.
- Optimization: Enables optimization of individual segments (e.g., choosing the best mode of transport or carrier for a specific leg).
- Costing: Helps in calculating costs associated with different parts of the route.
By dividing a route into segments, logistics professionals can gain better control and efficiency over the entire transportation process.
