关键词: 公路运输, 定价方法, 经营成本, 小件货物快运, 运输需求

Abstract:

After a survey of 10 longdistance highway passenger transportation stations in Beijing, we found that 50% of the stations do not provide express services for smallsize cargos. Passenger stations that provide such services have a low profit.The main reason is that there is no effective pricing method for smallsize cargos. To address this critical need, we first look at the operating costs of all the parties involved with smallsize cargo express services. According to the customers’ freight transport demand function, we propose a model for determining the price for smallsize cargo express services with an objective function of maximizing the station’s revenue. Based on the model, the necessary conditions are specified in order for passenger stations and companies to operate such businesses. Furthermore, a method of fitting the transportation demand function is provided based on the actual operations and services. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the application of the proposed pricing method for smallsize cargo express services.

Key words: highway transportation, pricing method, operating cost, smallsize cargo express, transportation demand