The Road to Intermodal Transport: A study of the economic, environmental and societal effects from the usage of 2x40 feet vehicles for pre and post haulage

Abstract

An increased environmental concern regarding the transport sector‟s effects on the environment has resulted in the promotion of intermodal transport. Intermodal transport faces fierce competition on short distances. One reason for this is high pre-and post haulage costs. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how intermodal freight transports can be made more efficient in the cooperation between road and rail, and how they can be made more environmental friendly. The concept of double haulage, vehicles carrying 2x40ft containers, will be introduced and further evaluated as a means to improve the pre-and post haulage part of intermodal transports. The study was conducted with help from several interviews where experts from various parts of the transport sector contributed with their knowledge. Implementing double haulage requires some special concerns. Since the vehicle combinations violates Swedish traffic regulations on length dimensions, the rules and regulations need to be investigated together with the process of obtaining an exemption from the Swedish Transport Agency. A case study where double haulage is introduced is investigated. Within the case study different scenarios are created where a solution of moving goods from road to an intermodal road and rail solution is presented. The results indicates that with an intermodal double haulage solution there is a potential of cost savings between 5-8% compared to road transport only while the savings in emissions are far greater, up to 80%. Opinions and statements concerning long vehicles from the interviewees are analyzed together with the technical aspects and calculation results from the case study in order to see the future potential of double haulage. Aspects as traffic safety and infrastructure are handled as well. For future research it is suggested to investigate how the concept can be developed further in relation to Railport Scandinavia. In this way it would be investigated if double haulage can support the development of the rail shuttle system.