Final answer:
Lucy should consider container shipping for her 3,500-pound shipment, as it balances cost-efficiency and capability for large loads.
Step-by-step explanation:
For Lucy to determine the best routing option for a major shipment totaling 500 cartons and weighing 3,500 pounds, she should consider several factors. These include the total mass of the shipment, the costs associated with different routing options, the distance to the destination, and the type of goods being shipped. Considering the size and weight of Lucy's shipment, she should likely look into container shipping as an efficient and cost-effective method.
Container ships are designed to carry large amounts of cargo over long distances, and they are particularly suitable for handling shipments like Lucy's. In contrast, utilizing smaller vehicles or courier services could be significantly more expensive and less efficient for such a large load. Given that container ships typically operate on regular routes and can handle loads like Lucy's, which is much smaller than their maximum capacity, this would likely be the most appropriate option for her.