Load flexibility refers to the ability of a mode of transport to fit the environmental needs of various products. Transportation modes that provide only one environment are inflexible; modes of transportation that provide various environments are flexible.

Trucks can provide cool temperatures for transporting frozen products to grocery stores as well as warm temperatures for other goods. Many other products (e.g., volatile chemicals), have special environmental requirements.

Mode

Load Flexibility

 
Plane
Train
Truck
Ship
Pipeline
Low
Moderate
High
Low
Very low