Conceptual System Model of Transport and Traffic
In this section, you will learn more about the different elements and
relations of the conceptual system model of transport and traffic.
6. Facilities
On this page, you will learn something about the last element “Facilities” of the conceptual system model.
Facilities are the immovables of the systems. A facility is a fixed (temporary) structure, in most cases some type of building or open arena, which is dedicated to some specific types of human activities. Important categories of facilities are homes, schools, offices, shops etc. Two especially important categories of facilities for logistics are production facilities and storage facilities.
Although in the general version of the conceptual system model the transportation system does not include any facilities, a closer analysis of a transportation system often requires the incorporation of specific facilities. This is due to the hierarchical character of transportation systems.
Examples for facilities:
- company sides (trade, manufacturing, services)
- facilities for logistics services, transport terminals, micro hubs
- households
- public facilities
The relation between the two elements facilities and goods, persons and information is called accession.
Accession
Accession
- is an interaction between persons/goods and facilities.
- is the provision of options to move persons and goods between the locations of two facilities A and B at specific times.
- can be just the theoretical possibility of moving between locations at any time, or it could be the planned and even reserved possibility to carry out a transport at a specific point of time. In the first case accession is often measured in required transport time and (if relevant) frequency (time distance between options). In the latter case arrival/delivery within a specific time window is the normal criterion (Just-in-Time).
Literature
Flämig, H.; Sjöstedt, L.; Hertel, C. (2002): Multimodal Transport: An Integrated Element for Last-Mile-Solutions? In: Conference Proceeding of the International Conference “Freight Transport Automation and Multimodality. Organisational and Technological Innovations,Delft, Niederlande