Development of Road Freight Transport Indicators Focused on Sustainability to Assist Shippers: An Analysis Conducted in France through the FRET 21 Programme

Abstract

The transport procurement process is based on criteria selected by shippers when soliciting tenders from carriers. Although sustainable transport indicators are not yet a formal selection criterion in France, some indicators are starting to be gradually considered in freight transport contracts between shippers and carriers. Dispersed information can be gathered regarding Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards compliance for trucks, their fuel consumption, the number of signatory shippers to the CO2 reduction charter, and the search for less-polluting alternative freight solutions. However, these elements are difficult to quantify, and it is often hard to formalise and evaluate their related performance. Therefore, the objective of this article is to draw up, at the request of ADEME (the French Environment and Energy Management Agency), a series of reliable, operational sustainable transport indicators that can be applied to all shippers regardless of their size or industry sector. As part of the FRET 21 charter deployment in France, this article proposes a list of measurable sustainability indicators to support transport buyers when selecting freight carriers.