TRL4861
Assignment 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: September 2025
FORECASTING DEMAND FOR A ROAD FREIGHT BUSINESS IN KWAZULU-NATAL
INTRODUCTION
Forecasting demand is one of the most important steps in setting up a transport business. A
road freight company planning to move building materials to rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal
(KZN) must estimate how much demand will exist for these services in 2025 and 2026. The
construction sector in rural regions is shaped by many factors, including government
housing projects, infrastructure development, seasonal activity, and private building by
households. A clear demand forecast can help the business plan its fleet size, workforce,
routes, and pricing strategy.
There are many methods for forecasting demand. Broadly, they can be divided into two
groups: demand forecasting methods, which are more qualitative and judgmental, and
quantitative forecasting methods, which rely on numerical data and statistical techniques.
This essay will explain the differences between these two groups, show how they
complement each other, and then apply five demand forecasting methods and
Termsfive
of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
FORECASTING DEMAND FOR A ROAD FREIGHT BUSINESS IN KWAZULU-
NATAL
INTRODUCTION
Forecasting demand is one of the most important steps in setting up a transport
business. A road freight company planning to move building materials to rural areas
of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) must estimate how much demand will exist for these
services in 2025 and 2026. The construction sector in rural regions is shaped by
many factors, including government housing projects, infrastructure development,
seasonal activity, and private building by households. A clear demand forecast can
help the business plan its fleet size, workforce, routes, and pricing strategy.
There are many methods for forecasting demand. Broadly, they can be divided into
two groups: demand forecasting methods, which are more qualitative and
judgmental, and quantitative forecasting methods, which rely on numerical data and
statistical techniques. This essay will explain the differences between these two
groups, show how they complement each other, and then apply five demand
forecasting methods and five quantitative forecasting methods to the context of a
rural road freight company in KZN. Finally, it will identify the most suitable methods
and justify why they fit best with this type of business.
DEMAND FORECASTING METHODS AND QUANTITATIVE FORECASTING
METHODS
Demand forecasting methods focus on predicting demand using market knowledge,
expert judgement, and qualitative insights. They often consider factors such as
customer preferences, social trends, policy changes, or local conditions that may not
be reflected in historical data. For example, insights from local builders, municipal
officials, or housing NGOs may help predict the scale of construction activity in rural
KZN. Demand forecasting methods are usually applied when there is limited past
data, when the market is changing, or when demand is influenced by qualitative
drivers (Kumar, 2019).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: September 2025
FORECASTING DEMAND FOR A ROAD FREIGHT BUSINESS IN KWAZULU-NATAL
INTRODUCTION
Forecasting demand is one of the most important steps in setting up a transport business. A
road freight company planning to move building materials to rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal
(KZN) must estimate how much demand will exist for these services in 2025 and 2026. The
construction sector in rural regions is shaped by many factors, including government
housing projects, infrastructure development, seasonal activity, and private building by
households. A clear demand forecast can help the business plan its fleet size, workforce,
routes, and pricing strategy.
There are many methods for forecasting demand. Broadly, they can be divided into two
groups: demand forecasting methods, which are more qualitative and judgmental, and
quantitative forecasting methods, which rely on numerical data and statistical techniques.
This essay will explain the differences between these two groups, show how they
complement each other, and then apply five demand forecasting methods and
Termsfive
of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
FORECASTING DEMAND FOR A ROAD FREIGHT BUSINESS IN KWAZULU-
NATAL
INTRODUCTION
Forecasting demand is one of the most important steps in setting up a transport
business. A road freight company planning to move building materials to rural areas
of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) must estimate how much demand will exist for these
services in 2025 and 2026. The construction sector in rural regions is shaped by
many factors, including government housing projects, infrastructure development,
seasonal activity, and private building by households. A clear demand forecast can
help the business plan its fleet size, workforce, routes, and pricing strategy.
There are many methods for forecasting demand. Broadly, they can be divided into
two groups: demand forecasting methods, which are more qualitative and
judgmental, and quantitative forecasting methods, which rely on numerical data and
statistical techniques. This essay will explain the differences between these two
groups, show how they complement each other, and then apply five demand
forecasting methods and five quantitative forecasting methods to the context of a
rural road freight company in KZN. Finally, it will identify the most suitable methods
and justify why they fit best with this type of business.
DEMAND FORECASTING METHODS AND QUANTITATIVE FORECASTING
METHODS
Demand forecasting methods focus on predicting demand using market knowledge,
expert judgement, and qualitative insights. They often consider factors such as
customer preferences, social trends, policy changes, or local conditions that may not
be reflected in historical data. For example, insights from local builders, municipal
officials, or housing NGOs may help predict the scale of construction activity in rural
KZN. Demand forecasting methods are usually applied when there is limited past
data, when the market is changing, or when demand is influenced by qualitative
drivers (Kumar, 2019).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
