Purchase Solution

Determine if rail cars provide the best customer service

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

In the area of intermodal, how would one determine if rail cars provide the best overall service to a customer.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

This posting first explains what intermodal transport is, and then list 6 categories which would help you determine if it is the best method for customer service:
1) travel time
2) price
3) comfort / relaxation
4) customer service
5) convenience/ flexibility
6) environmental impact

Solution Preview

Let's first look at what intermodal transportation is - it is essentially transportation that uses several different methods - rail, car, plane, boat...

http://www8.cpr.ca/cms/English/Customers/New+Customers/What+We+Ship/Intermodal/default.htm

How would we determine if rail provides the best service? We would need to essentially compare it to its competitors based on different criteria.

What would the criteria be? We can look at each separately, but then we might need to connect some of the criteria to come up with a decision.

1) travel time
2) price
3) comfort / relaxation
4) customer service
5) convenience/ flexibility
6) environmental impact

I will break each one down.

1) travel time

We can evaluate each mode of transport based on travel time:
- car and boat would be the slowest
- plane would be the quickest
- rail is faster than boat/car, but slower then plane

2) price

- car would be the cheapest
- ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Transformational Leadership

This quiz covers the topic of transformational leadership. Specifically, this quiz covers the theories proposed by James MacGregor Burns and Bernard Bass. Students familiar with transformational leadership should easily be able to answer the questions detailed below.

Managing the Older Worker

This quiz will let you know some of the basics of dealing with older workers. This is increasingly important for managers and human resource workers as many countries are facing an increase in older people in the workforce

Production and cost theory

Understanding production and cost phenomena will permit firms to make wise decisions concerning output volume.

SWOT

This quiz will test your understanding of the SWOT analysis, including terms, concepts, uses, advantages, and process.

Social Media: Pinterest

This quiz introduces basic concepts of Pinterest social media

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Transportation problem solving using excel solver

    The following table shows the distances from the mines to the various depots and the availabilities and requirements for coal. Determine the best shipment of coal cars to minimize the total miles traveled by the cars.

  • transportation mode

    Rail transport will also not be suitable for the customer because rail transport cannot offer door to door service.

  • Rio River Railroad

    According to the regression model equation, the addition of another train car will increase the fuel consumption by a factor of 2.15. For example, if there were 50 train cars, the fuel consumption would be 10.5+2.15(50)=118.

  • Normal and Inferior goods

    People tend to switch over to rail or air for transport if their income rises. Solution discusses the nature of normal and inferior goods.

  • marketing - Sample Quiz

    Question 6 The railroad service which picks up truck trailers at a producer's location, loads them onto rail flatcars, hauls them close to the customer, and then delivers them to the buyer's door is _____________.

  • Rio-River Railroad



    we find a positive correlation between fuel consumption and the number of rail cars on the train: the more rail cars, the more fuel used.

    2)(a.)

  • Light Rail Demand and Social Welfare

    Is it the best outcome for society to encourage light rail ridership level such that it minimizes the total commute time for society? If yes, explain. If no, explain and state the optimum level of ridership.

  • Factors in Distribution mix

    If a service, do you deliver in person or through the internet or telephone? These questions all involve "place".

  • Correlation coefficiient and square regression

    Explain any difference. we find a positive correlation between fuel consumption and the number of rail cars on the train: the more rail cars, the more fuel used. 2)(a.)

View More Related Solutions