BACKHAUL UTILISATION OF FOOD TRUCKS

Abstract

The food industry and its logistics are one of the most complex operations due to various sensitive variables (shelf life, temperature, etc.) and their implications on the world economy. This research aims to review and evaluate the challenges faced by food logistics, especially vehicle backhauling activity and make recommendations that can improve food transportation efficiency. In addition, an extensive literature review is presented in this research which explores food logistics, issues and challenges of empty backhauling, the importance of reducing carbon footprint and highlights the gaps found in the scientific papers. Data collection of food backhauling challenges is conducted in this research through publishing a survey with experts in the related fields. Their responses have been analysed and discussed in order to emphasise more on the challenges of backhauling. As a result, a number of recommendations have been proposed to improve transportation’s efficiency and reducing carbon footprint.