Recognizing early warning signs in transportation services

The transport services can vary in complexity, and can be carried out in short or long supply chains. Market observations indicate that logistics services including transport service become increasingly sophisticated, by far exceeding their traditional perception. They begin to resemble projects characterized by singularity, uniqueness, temporariness, limited budget, and, occasionally, innovativeness. Therefore, they are often treated as a specific type of projects, called logistics projects. The aim of the paper is to present the essence and characteristics of transportation services as a specific logistics project. Author characterizes the transportation service, with particular focus on the sector of oversized cargo transportation. The demand for such services depends on the industry, energy, infrastructure development, investment projects in particular countries as well as on economic policies. Transportation of non-standard cargos creates non-standard problems. The management of such services requires specific knowledge, resources, and managers. The paper identifies key factors that need to be taken under consideration when planning oversized cargo transportation services, i.e. early warning signs. The author presents certain barriers to responding to early warning signs in oversize transport service.