Research platform Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe (ALICE) has published a White Paper that addresses the main challenges faced by the rail and intermodal transport sector. The paper also identifies the factors hindering the sector’s integration into broader logistics solutions and the different perceptions of different stakeholder groups.
Titled “Increasing the Use of Rail and Intermodal Transport in Europe: Integration of Rail Freight Information with Other Supply Chain Solutions”, the White Paper has been produced with the support of the cloud-based transportation management platform Transporeon.
In its preamble, the White Paper notes that despite rail transport’s clear benefits in reducing carbon footprints and road congestion, the sector struggles to attract consistent, additional traffic. Moreover, there are “significant barriers” to achieving the European Commission’s targets to increase rail freight by 50 per cent by 2030 and double it by 2050 compared to 2015.
“Stop overemphasising barriers”
According to the White Paper, successfully increasing the uptake of intermodal transport requires “a dual approach” that recognises both the immediate opportunities and the longer-term challenges.
While many intermodal experts focus on solving existing complexities, this can lead to overemphasising barriers. Intermodal solutions have been used successfully by many shippers for years, and in order to increase their use, two parallel efforts need to be undertaken. It recommends that such efforts take the form of two ‘Action Groups’, A and B.
Focusing on practical solutions
Action Group A identifies specific transport corridors with relatively low barriers to adoption. By focusing on these “quick win” opportunities, intermodal transport can be expanded more quickly, even if the solution is not perfect.
The aim is to accelerate adoption in areas where improvements can be made with minimal delay and effort, delivering immediate value to shippers. Still, enough scale, competition and collaborative push are needed to start these partnerships, reducing risks for all involved stakeholders.
Parallel long-term and innovative planning
Action Group B is dedicated to progressively reducing the barriers to intermodal transport over time. By addressing more complex challenges such as infrastructure constraints, terminal availability and performance and other cost structures, this Group is working to make additional corridors viable for intermodal solutions, for example, by implementing new technologies. The aim is to align the rail offering more closely with shippers’ expectations, creating a smoother and more efficient transport system in the long term.
The White Paper adds that progress in expanding intermodal transport cannot depend solely on the success of Action Group B. Waiting for all barriers to be removed could significantly delay wider adoption. Potential adopters also need to engage with Action Group A, which is focused on identifying and exploiting immediate growth opportunities.