| dc.description.abstract | This paper presents findings of a study on the determinal
of choice in cargo haulage between road freighters and the
railways. The study covers route between Mombasa and Nairobi
incoming dry cargo cleared from Kilindini Port. Shippers'
choices of transport mode are ana lysed considering the
characteristics of each consignment transported and the
attributes of 'each mode.
A binary logit model is used to analyse the impact of
certain variables on transport mode choice. This impact relates
to the odds of one mode of transport being chosen over the other
Accordingly, freight rates, loading costs, transit time, and
availability of door to door service within the modes are the
most important determinants of the probability that a shipper
will choose one mode over the other. Freight rates are higher
road than in railways. However, the high speed, efficiency in
cargo handling, flexibility, and availability of door-to-door
service encourage truck use. A high correlation exists between
road and rail haulage implying that shippers take into account
the existence of the alternative mode when making their choice
The railways is disadvantaged, however, due to lack of
door-to-door service where side lines do not exist.
Consignment weight is not a significant determinant of the
mode chosen except for low value government imports--e.g.,
grains and fertilizers--which usually go by rail. | en |
