Planning in the Trucking Industry

For the last ten years or so, the freight transportation industry has been facing new challenges such as time-sensitive industrial and commercial practices as well as the globalization of markets. During the same period, new information-related technologies have developed rapidly: Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and the Internet, Global Positioning Systems via satellites (GPS) and Decision Support Systems (DSS). These technologies can greatly enhance the operations planning capability of freight carriers in as much as they make use of this information in order to optimise their operations. GPS, EDI and the Internet can also provide the necessary information required to achieve real-time computer-based decision making using appropriate operations research techniques. Today, decision support tools can be used at the strategic, tactical and operational levels. They must also be designed to assist managers in a real-time environment. We describe this planning environment and discuss optimization tools that can be made available to motor carriers.

Dr. Roy is a professor of Logistics and Operations Management at HEC - Montreal where he is also responsible for the specialized programs in Supply Chain Management. He is a member of the research group Chaîne that is conducting research in the field of Supply Chain Management. He is currently an administrator of the Foundation for Training in Freight Transportation in Quebec and of the Logistics and Transportation Training Institute. He graduated with a B.Sc. from the Collège Militaire Royal in Saint-Jean, in 1971, and completed his education with an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in Administration at HEC Montreal. Prior to his university career, Dr. Roy was employed as an aerospace engineering officer with the Canadian Armed Forces. He also possesses many years of experience as a management consultant with several large Canadian corporations and governmental organizations. His expertise lies in the areas of logistics and transportation management. Dr. Roy has authored several articles and publications in this subject area, and has participated in many conferences at both national and international level.