ABSTRACT


 Freight rates for perishables have long been observed to
be extremely variable both across time and within the same time
period. Several reasons for this variation have been hypothe-
sized, little research has been devoted to the subject area.
This study examines the roles of load and shipment characteris-
tics, carrier status, and methods of arranging for carriage on
rates. The results reveal that load and shipment characteris-
tics are the dominant factors in rate determination. Of par-
ticular interest is the discovery that the rate structure re-
sembles the value of service or commodity value-correlated rate
structures commonly found in regulated carriage.





Keywords: Exempt trucking, Florida, freight rates.