ROAD TRANSPORTATION: A PREFERRED MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

Road transportation is one of the most commonly used modes of transportation. This mode of transportation has been the preferred choice from the past to the present day. Especially in short-distance shipments, this transportation type, when the necessary vehicles are provided, can proceed smoothly and comfortably. Goods transported by road are safely delivered to the recipient in accordance with delivery methods.

If road transportation is preferred, companies providing logistics services should be carefully selected. The chosen logistics company should carefully decide on the vehicles that will carry the loads. Suitable vehicles should be preferred based on the type and weight of the cargo. The person driving the vehicle must adhere to traffic rules and use the vehicle at an appropriate speed during the transportation. The driver providing services in the logistics sector must have the appropriate driver’s license.

Esalco Logistics, providing pioneering services in the field, with its experienced team, suitable vehicles, and the transportation systems it offers, is your greatest supporter throughout the entire shipment process.

**VEHICLES USED IN ROAD TRANSPORTATION:**
When planning shipment processes in road transportation, attention should be paid to certain factors in determining the vehicles to be used for transportation. First, the characteristics of the load to be transported are determined. The weight, type, and number of pieces of the cargo are effective in determining the vehicle for transportation. There are different vehicles preferred in road transportation system. Some of the most commonly preferred vehicles in road transportation are:

1. **Truck:** Trucks are motorized vehicles larger than vans. In these vehicles, the weight of the goods to be transported is generally more than 3,500 kilograms. Trucks are named differently based on their types, such as dump trucks, open-body trucks, closed-body trucks, tractor trucks, and construction trucks. The selection of these truck types is determined based on the type and weight of the cargo to be transported. Open-body trucks are used for the transportation of goods that can be transported openly, closed-body trucks are used for goods that should not be affected by weather conditions like rain, snow, and hail, construction trucks are used for transporting construction materials, and tractor trucks are generally used for towing and transporting different vehicles. Larger versions of trucks used in road transportation are called trucks. The term “truck” is derived from the group of words “Transports Internationaux Routiers,” meaning international road transportation.

2. **Van:** Vans are one of the most commonly used vehicle types in road transportation. The maximum load required for the use of these vehicles is 3,500 kilograms. These vehicles are generally used for short-distance transportation.

3. **Trailer:** Trailers, also known as trailers and semi-trailers, are transport vehicles. Trailers have a wide range of uses and can be used for various purposes depending on their type. Trailers are named differently based on their types, such as open trailer, closed trailer, Jumbo trailer, and flat trailer.

4. **Container:** Containers are not used directly for the transportation of products, but they are auxiliary vehicles with high protective features used for the transportation and placement of products to be shipped. The use of containers is essential for the safe preservation of goods. The most commonly used container types in road transportation are 20 feet and 40 feet. In addition to these, there are also large cube container platforms called high-cube containers, especially used in cargo ships.

**AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT USED DURING ROAD TRANSPORTATION:**
When conducting international road transportation, the equipment that assists in the shipment is as important as the vehicles that provide the shipment. With the correct selection and proper use of the equipment, the shipment process will be completed easily and efficiently. The most commonly preferred types of auxiliary equipment in road transportation are as follows:

1. **Pallet Jacks (Transpallet):** Pallet jacks are frequently used during shipments to different cities within the same country or for short-distance shipments. They complete the handling stage of road transportation. Pallet jacks generally have a two-fork structure and are used for placing loads. These types of auxiliary equipment, most used on flat surfaces, are widely found in the warehouses of companies dealing with road transportation.

2. **Ramps:** Ramps are another type of auxiliary equipment used in the loading stage of road transportation. Ramps prevent damage to goods during rapid loading and unloading stages.

3. **Cranes:** Cranes are other auxiliary equipment used in the loading and unloading stages of road transportation. Especially for large-sized items, it is impossible to use human power for loading. Crane usage is required for the transportation of such loads.

4. **Forklifts:** Forklift types also have a forked structure like pallet jacks. Generally, forklifts capable of carrying loads between 1 and 90 tons are used for easy loading, moving, and stacking processes.

Road transportation, with its various vehicles and auxiliary equipment, plays a crucial role in the logistics chain, ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of goods from one location to another.