What is a truck terminal? Explanation with images from roles, functions, challenges, and solutions.

Due to the diversification of needs, logistics has become more indispensable than ever in people’s lives. Truck terminals support the efficiency and safety of such logistics.

What are the challenges facing truck terminals, which are required to perform an increasingly diverse range of functions? The “membrane structure” is a way to solve this problem. This article will explain in detail.

Real-life examples from each company will also be presented with images, so logistics professionals are encouraged to take a look.

Table of Contents
1 What is a truck terminal?
2 What are the main roles and functions of a truck terminal?
2-1 Role as a Cargo Shipment Disposal Area
2-2 Role as a distribution center
3 Challenges facing truck terminals
4 The “tent warehouse/tent shed” solution: bright, comfortable, low-cost, and short construction period
4-1 Low cost
4-2 Short construction period
4-3 Well-lit and bright
4-4 Cool in summer and excellent storage environment
4-5 Excellent stain resistance and maintainability
5 Case study of a truck terminal using a tented warehouse/tent shed
5-1 Example of Ito Kyuko Co.
5-2 Example of Katsuura Fishery Cooperative Association
5-3 Example of Sanei Transportation Co.
6 For consultation on truck terminals, contact Taiyo Kogyo, a professional tent warehouse company.
7 Conclusion

What is a truck terminal?

A truck terminal is a facility that serves as a hub (base or center) in truck logistics. It functions mainly as a “cargo handling area” where cargo collected from shippers and production centers is sorted and arranged according to destination.

( Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism )

Specific definitions are set forth in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Automobile Terminal Law” and related government ordinances and enforcement regulations, and are divided into two categories: “general truck terminals” and “dedicated truck terminals.

General Truck Terminals” are public facilities used by an unspecified number of businesses and require permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for establishment. On the other hand, a “dedicated truck terminal” is a truck terminal set up by a carrier for its own use, which does not require a permit from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

What are the main roles and functions of a truck terminal?

The National Truck Terminal Association website lists the following four main roles and functions of truck terminals

Role as a cargo handling area

1. Transshipment function: Cargo is sorted and transshipped by destination region.
2. Consolidation function: Consolidates small-lot cargo into lot cargo.

Role as a distribution center

1. Storage function: temporary storage of cargo.
2. Distribution processing and assortment functions: Processing, packaging, and subdividing products according to demand patterns.

( Source: National Truck Terminal Association website )

Truck terminals are extremely important facilities with multiple functions and roles that enhance efficiency in logistics.

Challenges facing truck terminals

Because of the diverse functions required of truck terminals, they often face the following challenges

• High construction cost and long construction period
• Dark work area or expensive lighting
• Hot in summer due to heat buildup
• Costly and time-consuming to maintain.

High construction cost and long construction period

To accommodate large trucks, a truck terminal requires a certain area. The construction cost of the loading dock shed alone is significant, and the construction period is also long.

Dark work area or expensive lighting

Since a large area is covered by the roof, outside light is difficult to reach and the work area is dark at hand. To cover this, a large amount of lighting is required, which is expensive both to install and to run.

Hot in summer due to heat buildup

Both indoor facilities and outdoor cargo handling areas have comfort issues due to heat buildup and inefficient air conditioning, which affects the efficiency of those working inside.

Costly and time-consuming to maintain.

Large facilities make it difficult to clean roofs and exterior walls, which can cause dirt to accumulate and spoil the scenery and damage the facility. Rusting and other large-scale repairs are often necessary, and maintenance is both time-consuming and expensive.

Bright, comfortable, low-cost, short construction period "tent warehouse/tent shed" solution

The “Tent Warehouse/Tent Shed” solution solves the above problems faced by truck terminals. Tent warehouses are constructed using a fabric called “membrane material” for the walls and roof, and have many advantages due to their superior functionality. Below is a list of features that make it ideal for truck terminals.

• low cost
• short construction period
• High lighting and bright
• Cool in summer and excellent storage environment
• Excellent stain resistance and maintainability

low cost

Rational construction, lightweight material composition, and systemized design enable tent warehouses to significantly reduce construction costs compared to conventional warehouses. For a 1,000 m2 class warehouse, costs can be reduced by as much as 40% compared to conventional construction methods.

short construction period

By reducing the volume of foundation work and systematizing the main body work, the tent warehouse can be constructed in an overwhelmingly short period of time compared to conventional warehouses. Compared to the same example of a 1,000 m2 class warehouse, the construction period can be reduced by a whopping 66%.

High lighting and bright

Membrane materials are highly translucent, allowing plenty of natural light to enter a completely covered indoor space. During the daytime, the work area can be seen clearly even without lighting, dramatically increasing work efficiency. In addition, the amount of lighting required can be reduced, leading to lower initial investment and running costs.

Cool in summer and excellent storage environment

Membrane materials with titanium dioxide photocatalytic coating can dramatically improve the reflectivity of sunlight and reduce the temperature rise inside the warehouse. In addition, harmful ultraviolet rays can also be blocked, preventing quality deterioration of stored items.

Excellent stain resistance and maintainability

In addition, the photocatalyst allows the membrane material to “self-clean” so that dirt is washed away and the membrane remains clean. This not only protects the landscape, but also prevents deterioration of the membrane material, thereby reducing maintenance costs. The membrane material can be partially repaired in the unlikely event of damage, another outstanding feature.

Case study of a truck terminal using a tent warehouse/tent shed

The superior performance of the tent warehouse/tent shed has already been introduced nationwide as a truck terminal. Some of these achievements are shown in the following photos.

Example of Ito Kyuko Co.

• Location: Osaka, Japan
• Usage: Cargo handling area
• Size: W22 x L21 x H7(m) / 462 square meters

Example of Katsuura Fishery Cooperative Association

• Location: Chiba, Japan
• Usage: Cargo handling area
• Size: W23 x L29.4 x H8.5(m) / 689 square meters

Example of Sanei Unyu Co.

• Location: Mie Prefecture
• Usage: Cargo handling area
• Size: W20 x L17.5 x H6.5(m)

For consultation on truck terminals, contact Taiyo Kogyo, the tent warehouse professionals.

When considering building a truck terminal, consult with professionals in the field. Not only do they have a wealth of experience that gives you a sense of security and trust, but they are also a one-stop shop for all legal-related technicalities and complications.

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation is truly a professional tent manufacturer, having worked with tents for 100 years since its establishment. It is also the world’s leading manufacturer of membrane structures, with the most extensive track record in the world. With numerous deliveries throughout Japan, Taiyo Kogyo also has extensive experience and knowledge in truck terminals. You can learn more about our overwhelming capabilities by visiting our official website and our free materials about tent warehouses. Please take a look first and feel free to contact us.

> >Taiyo Kogyo Corporation’s truck terminal service details are here.

summary

With the ever-increasing demand for logistics, the importance and need for truck terminals is growing every year. As the required functions have become more diverse, more and more performance solutions have become desirable. Tent warehouses are the solution to the problems that truck terminals have faced for many years. It excels in functionality and cost performance, and the construction period can be reduced to one-third of the time required by conventional systems. They are attracting attention nationwide and are being introduced in many locations.

As a world leader in membrane materials, TAIYO KOGYO CO., LTD. can provide you with the best proposals, from construction to various applications. Please feel free to contact us for more information.