Ambient Temperature Exposure

1. Temperature Exposure
2. Timeplan
3. Predicted Ambient Temperature Graph
4. Classification of Temperature Exposure

Temperature Exposure

Temperature Exposure provides an assessment of the difference between booked temperature and the predicted ambient temperature profile of a transport lane. This information is summarized in a predicted ambient temperature profile, which is compiled based on climate data, more specifically the average daily weather conditions in January and July. The temperature profile may be used to determine the need for thermal packaging solutions on this lane. The classification for Temperature Exposure is based on multiple conceptual building blocks. These individual information elements will be explained in more detail in the following.

Timeplan

For a given Lane configuration, a timeplan is compiled based on capabilities information and transport step specifications, as well as fixed values. More specifically, typical tarmac, loading, and storage timings are derived, as well as whether a process step can be performed in a temperature-controlled environment or not. When a temperature-controlled environment is available for a specific process step (e.g. 15-25°C warehouse), it is assumed that the shipment will be placed there accordingly. The detailed process durations are derived from the capabilities questionnaire and calculated based on departure/arrival times.

In case a question related to the timeplan has not been answered, Validaide sets a default value for that specific process step. Unloading/loading is not addressed in the capabilities checklist, therefore it is fixed at 30 minutes, and similarly, ULD buildup/breakdown durations are fixed at 45 minutes. Currently, the application uses the following default values for the timeplan:

* The duration for storage is derived from the total duration set by the user creating the lane, and is distributed evenly between Loose Cargo Storage and ULD Storage.

** Fixed values.

The timeplan is summarized in a Temperature Exposure Overview, which shows how long a shipment is temperature-controlled, temperature protected and not temperature-controlled along with the total
transport.

Predicted Ambient Temperature Graph

Based on the timeplan, the system composes a predicted ambient temperature profile for a shipment on a day with average weather conditions in a specific month. The graph is compiled based on the individual process timings and historical climate data. The algorithm takes into account the average temperature to compile the graph. This value can be set manually as well.

For a Lane Characterization, the months with the most extreme conditions are most relevant, therefore we currently provide this graph for January and July. the tarmac temperature in January and July is determined based on the average daily temperature in the given month, based on climate data. However, the average daily temperature may not be reflecting the average daily maximum temperature (e.g. for a flight departing in the afternoon), or even more extreme scenarios (e.g. worst-case daily maximum) Therefore there is an option to manually overwrite the used tarmac temperature (based on Daily Average) with a manual setting for January and July.

Next to weather conditions, the ambient temperature is determined for other environments, such as a warehouse or a cargo-hold, as well. Moreover, the graph also considers the type of tarmac protection used if this information has been specified by the user. Currently, the following default temperature values have been defined:

Classification of Temperature Exposure

Temperature Exposure is characterized by three elements. The first one is of informational nature and
compares the time a shipment is within a temperature-controlled environment to the total shipment
duration. In order to determine the classification score for Temperature Exposure, the time out of range (TOR) is calculated for different temperature bandwidths. TOR is the total number of minutes/hours throughout a shipping process during which the ambient temperature is outside the required shipping temperature range.

Temperature excursions are classified according to the severity of an excursion, as indicated in the table below:

If a specific product and/or product variants have been selected for the lane, the fixed ranges mentioned above will be overwritten by the product ones and used to determine the ambient exposure in January and July.

Product stability in a lane risk assessment.

Eventually, the classification for Temperature Exposure is determined based on the type of temperature excursion and the total time out of range within that zone, as per the below overview.

Evaluation Factor - Product Temperature Exposure.