Intermodal Freight Transport

Background and contents

The overall transport demand will continue to grow in the coming years and there is a broad consensus that the increasing demand for capacity cannot be solved only by extending the existing transport infrastructure. In the Mid-term review of the European Commission’s 2001 Transport White Paper the effort should go towards using the existing transport systems much more efficiently. The EC augments that the efficient use of different transport modes “on their own and in combination will result in an optimal use and sustainable utilization of resources”. Five countries (Austria, France, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland) agreed to bundle their national activities for research and innovation funding in the field of intermodal freight transport by starting a joint call for proposals in the year 2007 within the frame of an ENT Action Group.

Key ideas and objectives

The idea behind this action is to strengthen the position of intermodal freight transportation in Europe. It aims to contribute with knowledge, methodology and technology to increase the competitiveness of intermodal freight transportation and thus to bring about a more balanced use of the different infrastructures to accommodate a growth in transport volume. This requires seamless door-to-door transport services using the different transport modes, separately and together, in an efficient way. The focus of the action is therefore to strengthen the position of intermodal freight transport on the European transport market using innovative technological innovations as well as new organizational structures.

The main field identified to be the focus for this call is:

Concepts for intermodal freight transport

The following bullet-points indicate eligible R&D fields:

• Innovative intermodal terminal technology
• Development of Innovative handling technology
• Concepts of terminal and regional organization
• Barriers to implement innovative terminal technology as well as strategies how to bridge these barriers
• Methodology for socio-economical evaluation of investments in intermodal terminals
• Flexible and modular intermodal train concepts
• Development of technology to facilitate competitive complex train systems
• Evaluation of innovative operational philosophies
• Strategies to bridge the implementation barriers for innovative train concepts and operational philosophies
• Development of wagon and vehicle technology towards improved competitiveness for and interoperability within intermodal transport chains
• Wagon technology for intermodal high speed services
• Wagon technology and components for less noise and/or lower energy consumption
• Wagon technology and components for goods requiring special attention
• Development of loading units for high speed services and high value goods
• Systems for wagon, load unit and shipment control in intermodal transport chains  

The process and the outcome of the joint call for proposals 

The joint call was organized in a 2-step procedure. 8 of 12 pre-proposals received in step 1 where recommended for handing in a full-proposal in step 2. The submitted pre-proposal where showing a good quality and a high degree of networking between the cooperating countries

• 7 proposals involving 2 countries
• 3 proposals involving 3
• 2 proposals involving 4 countries!
• 31 participating organizations in total (16 enterprises – 2/3 SMEs, 5 research institutes, 10 universities) have been involved in 7 full-proposals for step 2.

5 projects with a total funding volume of about 2 Mio. € have been selected for funding within a trans-national peer-review process.

The programme managers and owners of the partner countries expect significant trans-national added value of the selected projects. Positive aspects pointed out in this context where:

• Knowledge transfer (strengthening the national scientific/knowledge base)
• Complementary knowledge/skills to solve same/similar problems                                                  
• Avoid overlapping (national funding) activities – more efficient use of resources                                       
• “Natural” need for cooperation to solve a cross-boarder transport problem (which can not or hardly be done nationally)
• Broadening/Creation of (potential future) market chances for companies
• “Enabler / Catalyst” for future trans-national cooperation projects

Overview on selected projects and contacts

• MINT – model and decision support system for evaluation of intermodal terminal networks (AT, SE, SW)
• TESS - Intermodal Solutions for Trans-European Temperature-Sensitive Shipments (AT, NO, SE)
• HSCT - Concept and standardization for a European High Speed Train for Express Freight and Cargo (AT, FR)
• CAI – Customer and Agent Initiated Intermodal Transport Chains (NO, SE)
• INTERSYS - RFID–system support for identification and control of shipments, load units and wagons in intermodal transport systems (NO, SE)

Information about interim and final project results will be provided. For project related information please contact:

• MINT – TFK–Transportforskningsgruppen/Borlänge AB; Mr. Fredrik Bärthel (Fredrik.bartheltfk.se)
• TESS - Royal Institute of Technology (KTH);
  Mr. Gerhard Troche (gerhardinfra.kth.se)
• HSCT - SIGMA Conseil; Mr. Yves Bayle (yves.baylefree.fr)
• CAI – Göteborg University, Dept. Business Administration; Prof. Arne Jensen (arne.jensenhandels.gu.se)
• INTERSYS - SINTEF; Mr. Tor Nicolaisen (Tor.nicolaisensintef.no)

Further information:

Action Group leader

Frank Michelberger

BMVIT (Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology)

Unit of Mobility and Transport Technologies

frank.michelbergerbmvit.gv.at  

Action Group support

Walter Wasner (ENT WP1)

BMVIT (Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology)

Unit of Mobility and Transport Technologies

walter.wasnerbmvit.gv.at