Chapter 12: Decision-Making Process and Factors Affecting Truck Routing

This research studies the decision-making process and the factors that affect truck routing. The data collection involved intercept interviews with truck drivers at three rest area and truck stop locations along major highways in Texas, Indiana, and Ontario. The computerized survey solicited information on truck routing decisions, the identity of the decision makers, the factors that affect routing and sources of information consulted in making these decisions. In addition, stated preferences (SP) experiments were conducted, in which drivers were asked to choose between two route alternatives. A total of 252 drivers completed the survey, yielding 1121 valid SP observations.

This data was used to study the identity of routing decision makers for various driver segments and the sources of information used both in pretrip planning and en route. A random effects logit model was estimated using the SP data. The results show that there are significant differences in the route choice decision-making process among various driver segments, and that these decisions are affected by multiple factors beyond travel time and cost. These factors include shipping and driver employment terms, such as the method of calculation of pay and bearing of fuel costs and tolls.