D5 Annex report WP 3: ETIS Database methodology ... - ETIS plus

D5 Annex WP 3: DATABASE METHODOLOGY AND DATABASE USER MANUAL –
FREIGHT TRANSPORT DEMAND
For the rail and sea modes, the commodity classification can establish whether the goods are
bulk or unitised. These headings can then be used to determine load factors in tonnes and FEUs
respectively which will allow conversion to train numbers or ship numbers. In the case of the
sea mode, there is a wide range of ship sizes, and in practice it may be easier to measure vessel
flows (e.g. between ports) with reference to supply side data. For rail, provided that the mode
share can be ascertained, conversions of tonnes or FEUs to train numbers could be usefully
made.
The road mode needs to be main focus of this procedure, as there is a wide variety of vehicle
size possibilities, and there is no supply­side data (e.g. timetables) for road haulage services.
The estimation needs to be informed by vehicle stock and survey data.
There are differences in data availability by country, for instance in some national statistics up
to 20 vehicle types are being distinguished where in other countries gaps exist. This data
availability will be studied in the next phases in order to see whether improvements to the
currently most used estimations are possible.
In most cases the translation from tonnes to vehicles or vessels is done by one figure indicating
the average number of tonnes per vehicle or vessel. Sometimes an estimate is made in this way
of more than one type for instance van and truck.
4.8.4 Number of TEUs
Determining the number of TEUs will be done by estimation. Different determining factors are
present in this respect amongst which the volume of the commodities and the weight which has
to be compared with the maximum volume and weight of a TEU and of course the efficiency of
transport. Tables are existing of the volume per weight of the different commodities.
Different container types have different maximum weights like for instance:
Max weight:
· 20 foot container (1 TEU) with a maximum weight of 20 tonne and
· 40 foot container (2 TEU) with a maximum weight of 23 tonne
Often the TEU is determined by applying the average of 9 or 10 tonne per TEU. It will be seen
whether this method can be refined with available data.
MDS Transmodal have developed conversion tables, similar to those used to estimate other
cargo characteristics to relate tonnes of a product at the 5 Digit SITC level to the expected
number of 20’ or 40’ units, using estimated stowage factors (tonnes per 20’ and tonnes per 40’).
28
Document2
27 May 2004