Rate-setting system analysis of railroad transport from a position of logistics and customer-oriented approach

Abstract

Objective: The study of railroad transport rate-setting system from a position of customer-oriented approach and logistics, particularly the development of specific practical proposals of freight delivery system optimization and the assessment of OJSC “Russian Railways” logistic (terminal stocking) activity indices. Methods: Analytical method was applied, as well as economical and mathematical tools of terminalistics, being a new school. Results: An attempt was made to review the existing railway freight delivery system. It was observed that it was unreasonable to exclude materials handling elements - logistical objects (LO) of different types, from a logistical chain as by means of the element in question the freight arrives at as well as leaves the railroad. If the focus is made only on operating indices of functioning and traffic section of a logistical chain, it artificially impoverishes the strongest functional of railway enterprises, leading to a simplistic approach of traffic process managing and does not contribute to freight flow transferring to railroads. A new system of indicators was suggested for economic justification and calculation of parameters LO and TS, which were missing before. All indices were adjusted to the existing system of economical and operational indices of storage yard and railroads functioning. The new system may be applied in logistical rating, as well as terminal and stocking infrastructure of OJSC “Russian Railroads”. It may be used for: 1) LO identification; 2) LO selection taking into account its functionality, dislocation, etc. ; 3) construction projects’ assessment and reconstruction of terminal and stocking railroads’ infrastructure facilities; 4) logistical functioning of OJSC “Russian Railroads” holding company; 5) LO construction; 6) railroad transport functioning forecasting and planning. Practical importance: The application of the originally developed system of indicators will allow OJSC “Russian Railroads” to effectively design, operate and plan the functioning of terminal and stocking infrastructure facilities. The effectiveness of the suggested TSS is in more rapid freight delivery to consumers, expenditure reduction in technical maintenance and ineffective railway sidings and section’s stations repair, shunting and exporting train locomotives release, as well as passing siding of a section’s station for more effective formation of exit routes, technical and station’s speed increase of line haul main directions through home-base station, due to a number of train operation paths release, occupied with demountable export trains’ operation.