A Study of the Number of Distribution Channel Levels for the Road Transportation Systems

Generally, the tons lifted and ton-kilometers are widely used to analyze the road freight transport. However, these two indicators are simply to show the road freight transport statistics rather than to explain the road freight transportation systems. In this study, the variables such as the number of distribution channel levels, the integral distance, tons in transport and the average transport distance are defined and estimated to investigate the road freight transport system of Korea. In order to compare the road transport system of Korea to other countries, the comparative study was conducted including USA, Japan, Holland and Taiwan. The major findings of this study are as follows; i) The number of distribution channel levels and integral distance of Korea and Taiwan have been increased, but the average transport distance decreased from 1971 to 1996 period. ii) On the contrary to Korea case, the number of distribution channel levels and integral distance of US, Japan and Holland have been decreased, but the average transport distance increased. iii) In the time-series model analysis shows that the number of distribution channel levels are statistically positively closely related to the logistics costs and the costs of transportation as a percentage of GDP.