On the attitudinal characteristics of motor carriers toward container availability systems

The objective of this paper is to provide insights into the reasons that explain the apparent reluctance of motor carriers to use the container availability systems that have been developed by the majority of container terminals. This situation, identified in an earlier paper by the author, is rather surprising because the container availability systems are intended to help motor carriers avoid wasting trips to the container terminals. As part of the research, a small survey was conducted. The objective of the survey was to gather information about motor carriers and, in general, determine their attitude toward information technology and, in particular, container availability systems. The survey included a stated preference survey in which the motor carrier representatives were faced with a set of choice situations. The stated preference data was used to estimate random utility models representing the decision of whether or not to use the container availability systems. The modelling process revealed that the decision to use the container availability systems is a function of the cost of using the service and a couple of variables that measure the receptiveness of the company to use information technology. These results provided key information that will help the definition of policies aimed at increasing the use of container availability systems. Copyright © 2000 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.