E-commerce logistics
We are continuing to see data-driven predictive analytics for more efficient logistics operations, end-to-end visibility of customers’ orders, and the use of predictive AI to create more resilient supply chains.
Transport and logistics
Thoroughly vetted participants for market research by logistics companies, shipping organisations, freight providers, and supply chain management firms around the world. We are experienced in recruiting consumers, B2B and technology users and professionals for transport and logistics research in most major global markets.
30+ completed transport & logistics projects
7 years of experience in transport & logistics
500+ transport respondents recruited
Transport
Transport and logistics industry
The global transport and logistics industry is estimated to be worth around $11.0 trillion in 2025 of which the largest segments are road freight and in-house warehousing and distribution. Air and ground passenger transportation is valued at another $1.3 trillion p.a.
The transport and logisticssector is growing at around 8% a year due to the rise of e-commerce, global trade and higher consumer spending power coupled with the adoption of technology in emerging markets. The APAC market is the largest globally, benefitting from China, India and Japan’s huge volumes of trade and investment into modernising infrastructure, such as high-speed rail.
The UK logistics industry, including freight, generated £170 billion for the UK economy in 2024. The sector generates around 5.6% of the country’s GDP and employs around 8% of the UK’s workforce. Passenger rail travel has revenues of around £10-11 billion annually, with the combined revenue of UK-based airlines contributing a further £60 billion to the economy.
FieldworkHub has extensive experience arranging market research within the transport & logistics sector, including research with shippers, trucking companies, freight forwarders, delivery drivers, public transport users and air travellers.
Trending topics
Trending market research areas in the transport and logistics industry
Last mile delivery
The efficiency of last mile delivery is improving due to increased scale (driven in term by e-commerce) predictive delivery and on-demand services. There is still widespread interest in last-mile drone delivery.
Road haulage
Telematics and real-time GPS tracking is increasing the reliability of logistics services and vehicle fleets, while fluctuating fuel costs worldwide are causing companies to seek more fuel-efficient solutions.
Public transport
Fleets are becoming electrified, inspired by decarbonisation mandates, which is future-proofing networks, while improved high-speed rail infrastructure is is looking to compete with short-haul flights.
Key audiences
Key audiences for transport and logistics market research
Logistics & supply chain experts
Our team has facilitated IDIs with depot managers of logistics companies in the UK and France, OBBs with influencers in procurement on supply chain tools in the US, EMEA and APAC regions.
Shippers & freight forwarders
We have recruited professional truck drivers and shipping managers for surveys, low volume freight handlers and distributors in the US for quant surveys and freight forwarders in France for IDIs.
Warehouse & distribution managers
We’ve found B2B distribution managers in particular industries,such as medical devices, and companies that might consider bicycle-based distribution.
Transportation & fleet managers
The FieldworkHub team has recruited professional drivers and fleet managers for in-person vehicle workshops and IDIs, and transport managers in depots across the UK for online customer testing.
Public transport users
We have recruited BAME, disabled, LGBTQ+ and female passengers in the UK for in-person interviews on public transport safety, and residents of several German cities for research on public transport.
Drivers & operators
FieldworkHub has recruited taxi and rideshare operators in London and Paris, van drivers in the UK, owner-operator truck drivers in Turkey and potential heavy goods vehicle (HGV) trainees in the UK.
Ready to plan your next transport and logistics market research project?
FieldworkHub provides local support and participant recruitment for both qualitative and quantitative research projects; so every element of your brief is executed with precision.
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Qualitative research
What types of qualitative research does FieldworkHub conduct in the transport industry?
If you are looking to gather detailed insights into experiences, perceptions, and patterns of behaviour in the transport and logistics sector, a qualitative research methodology could be the right choice. Qualitative methods of research explore the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’, providing important contextual information behind how decisions are made.
Transport and logistics Focus groups
Focus groups allow participants to combine experiences and perspectives to explore ideas in depth. Commonly used during creative and conceptual development, they help you understand your customers’ needs, perceptions, and beliefs.
Transport and logistics in-depth interviews
In-depth interviews (IDIs), where a moderator interviews a single respondent, can be conducted face-to-face, online, or over the phone. They are ideal for B2B research and for exploring delicate subjects with consumers and hard-to-reach groups.
Transport and logistics Ethnographies
Ethnographic research is a qualitative research method in which the researchers observe participants using a product or service, or carrying out other activities, in their own environment, typically at work or at home.
Transport and logistics Online bulletin boards
An online bulletin board (OBB) is an online forum for qualitative market research that enables participants to log into to carry out research tasks or reply to questions asked by a moderator at their own pace, typically over a period of a few days.
Transport and logistics Online communities
A market research online community (MROC) is similar to an online bulletin board (OBB). However, unlike an OBB, on online community may be used to serve multiple purposes, and the community may remain active for weeks, months or even years.
Transport and logistics UX testing
User experience (UX) testing is a qualitative research methodology which involves directly observing and interviewing a participant using a product or service. It is widely used for testing new versions of apps and websites before they are launched.
Transport and logistics CX testing
Customer experience (CX) testing evaluates how customers interact with a product, service, or digital platform. It helps identify usability issues and overall satisfaction to improve the customer journey and ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Transport and logistics Video surveys
A video survey is a type of unmoderated qualitative research in which survey takers respond to a series of instructions or questions by making short videos using their smartphone, either in ‘selfie’ mode or to record an activity.
Transport and logistics vox pops
Vox pop research involves making recordings of people, usually members of the public, responding to questions. These clips are often used in research to illustrate public opinion on widely known topics, brands, or products.
Quantitative research
What types of quantitative research does FieldworkHub conduct in the transport and logistics industry?
If you are looking to develop a general picture of a particular topic, product, or service in the transport and logistics sector, quantitative research methodologies can help you gain objective insights from your target audience. Usually the results are numerical, which can be helpful in identifying patterns, averages, and creating statistics.
Transport and logistics Online surveys
Online surveys are a cost-effective research method with great flexibility in design. Automated data handling allows the results to be available quickly and many online surveys can be completed on smartphones, helping to improve the response rate.
Transport and logistics CATI
CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviewing) leverages technology to reach those who aren’t online. CATI interviews follow an electronic script with built in routing and type in the respondent’s answers to each question as the interview proceeds.
Transport and logistics CAPI
CAPI (computer-assisted personal interviewing) is a form of face-to-face interviewing where the interviewer reads the survey questions from a tablet device and inputs the respondent’s answers directly to the device.
Case studies
Case studies of transport and logistics research
From online in-depth interviews to in-person focus groups, we’ve delivered a wide range of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methodology research projects relating to transport and logistics. Our work spans diverse audiences and industries, so you can count on us to uncover the insights you need.
Depth interviews: safety on trains, UK
FieldworkHub arranged IDIs with individuals who have experienced harassment while travelling on trains in the UK. We recruited BAME, women, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities, allowing them to share valuable insight into their experiences of travelling by train.
Ethnographic research: personal mobility, UAE
A Middle Eastern corporation wanted to carry out ethnographic research in the UAE on topics relating to personal mobility. Our work involved finding respondents with very particular B2C and B2B profiles. We recruited around 100 respondents which included Emiratis, Expats and high earners.
Ethnographies: shippers & logistics companies, Turkey
A major energy company wanted to find out if an innovative logistics proposition was likely to be successful in Turkey. We recruited 16 representatives, to take part in in-depth interviews, in Istanbul and Ankara from companies that ship and carry good in Turkey. FieldworkHub also supplied local management services.
Face-to-face interviews: Barking station, London
Transport for London wanted to improve the environment outside Barking station. They wanted to explore perceptions of safety and test the impact of interventions on people who use the space. We completed 250 face-to-face CAPI interviews outside the station in two research waves.
Online bulletin board: commuting and travel, Germany
A German public transport operator wanted to conduct research to understand how urban travellers in Germany use public transport and shared mobility options in their day-to-day lives over a week. We made contact with over 200 promising respondents and screened in 40 for each of the two research phases.
Video interviews: vehicle fleet managers, UK
A design agency was testing out a concepts for a new digital product aimed at helping light commercial vehicle fleet managers to schedule service appointments, repairs and maintenance and asked for FieldworkHub’s help to recruit fleet managers based in the UK for exploratory interviews.
Got questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
As consultants in the research space, we’ve got the answers. And if there’s anything left unanswered, drop us an email or give the team a call. We’d be happy to help.
1
How does conducting market research benefit the transport & logistics industry?
Transportation companies looking to conduct market research can expect to uncover insights on passenger behaviour, pricing and route optimisation and evaluate the competition. Market research can also help logistics and freight companies evaluate regulatory changes and reduce risk in new infrastructure projects by speaking to real customers.
2
Can you support research on passenger behaviour across different journey types?
FieldworkHub has supported various projects on passenger behaviour with both public and private transport. With public transport we have supported research such as in-depth interviews with train passengers in the UK and OBBs with public transport users in Germany. FieldworkHub has assisted with private transport such as electric vehicle use in the UAE.
3
Do you support research on ticketing, fares, and payment systems?
Payment systems are an important part of transport, whether it is a fare for public transport or a penalty for a parking or traffic offence while driving. FieldworkHub has been involved in this research, with projects on drivers with parking tickets in the UK and passengers who have paid train fares in Europe.
Looking to conduct market research in the transport and logistics industry?
Contact our feasibility specialists to discuss your specific research needs and how we can help you gain deeper insights from the transport and logistics sector in most major global markets.
