ON THE JUSTIFICATION OF VEHICLE TYPES FOR FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION IN TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

The problem of selecting motor vehicles for freight transportation is relevant to the transport sector, as transportation efficiency directly affects business productivity, cost levels, and the timeliness of product delivery. Traditional approaches to evaluating vehicles are usually based on individual criteria, such as fuel consumption, payload capacity, or transportation cost, which do not always allow for the identification of the optimal option under real operating conditions. Considering a comprehensive set of indicators, including technical, economic, environmental, and operational factors, significantly complicates the decision-making process. This study substantiates an approach to the selection of motor vehicles for freight transportation based on a multicriteria evaluation method using the distance-to-target method, which enables a comprehensive analysis of alternative options and the selection of the most efficient solution. The study considers criteria such as fuel consumption, vehicle productivity, labor costs, and variable costs (transportation cost). To objectively determine the optimal vehicle for freight transportation, a prioritization method was applied, allowing for the assessment of the significance of each basic criterion and the ranking of alternatives. The obtained results can be used for selecting motor vehicles not only in the transport sector but also in other industries where it is essential to combine economic feasibility with technical, economic, and other performance indicators. The use of the multi-criteria evaluation method enables well-founded decision-making regarding the choice of vehicle type and brand, contributing to the rational use of resources and the improvement of transport technologies and systems.