This problem of estimating road transport costs in the Baltic Sea region is important for optimising cargo delivery expenses in local transportation and manufacturing sectors. The study incorporates a wider range of economic and logistical factors beyond the usual metrics of physical distance and travel time by using Generalised Transport Costs (GTC). Important factors like geodesic and road distances, travel times, fuel consumption, labor costs, tolls, and other overheads are identified. We utilise a unique dataset that analyses trips between centroids within each NUTS-2 region.
The study confirms the GTC model by comparing calculated costs with established database values. Regression analysis uncovers key factors affecting transport costs, such as road distance, travel time, and tolls.
Network analysis is used to map the routes in the region, focusing on finding paths that are both cost-effective and time-efficient. The analysis shows how small changes in routes can have a big impact on costs and efficiency.
In conclusion, this thesis contributes to the knowledge of road freight transport costs in the Baltic Sea region, offering valuable insights for policymakers and logistics companies.