Forensic Engineering Analysis Of loading Dock Traffic Patterns

Abstract

An Efficient Transportation System Includes The Safe And Efficient Movement Of Goods For Distribution to Consumers. Trucking Transport Is A Major Component Of The Transportation System Which Delivers goods To Consumers. The Flexibility Of Door-To-Door Deliveries That Is Not Available Through Other Modes of Transportation Such As Rail Or Ship, Makes Trucking Transport The Final Critical Segment Of The Goods transport Process. Distribution And Terminal Facilities For Truck Transport Are Generally Designed To Allow trucks To Back Into Loading Dock Areas. In Addition To Providing Proper Dock Heights And Bay Widths, The infrastructure Of These Facilities Must Provide Adequate And Proper Traffic Circulation Patterns Which In turn Allow For Safe And Proper Backing Of Trucks To The Loading Docks. This Paper Will Detail The Analysis of Two Facilities Where Road Widening Projects Created A Disruptive Change In The Traffic Circulation Pattern, which In One Case Required The Reconstruction Of The Site To Accommodate Trucking Deliveries, And in The Other Required The Change In Use Of The Property To One That No Longer Relied On Trucking Deliveries.