A group of European industry players are launching the +FIRRST system to improve intermodality over the next few years. The initiative, led by FERRMED, brings forward a project which they claim will revolutionise rail freight, transforming it into Mobility as a Service, but its feasibility remains uncertain.
In concrete terms, +FIRRST (which stands for Fast, Flexible, Integrated Rail-Road System of Transport) would be a platform bringing together shippers and transport providers. It would consist of a database with shippers’ requests and availability data to match offer and demand. Other than FERRMED, the initiative is promoted by the European Shippers’ Council, UIRR and the International Road Transport Union.
The initial plan is to test the +FIRRST system in the catchment areas along these two routes:
Route 1: Rotterdam – Antwerp – Brussels – Lille – Paris – Dijon – Lyon – Marseille – Montpellier – Barcelona
Route 2: Duisburg – Düsseldorf – Köln – Koblenz – Luxembourg – Metz – Nancy – Dijon – Lyon – Marseille – Montpellier – Barcelona
Three new types of transport
The initiative brings about three types of rail transport when it comes to single wagonload services. The first one is called point-to-point and it entails the uninterrupted rail transport without stopping at intermediate terminals. However, only 10% of the daily demand can be satisfied with this, FERRMED explained.
For the remaining 90% of demand, there are two other options. One includes stops at intermediate terminals, with stops set sufficiently in advance to maintain the initial estimated time of arrival. With the third one, there would be stops on request, which is what makes this system revolutionary, according to FERRMED. This is because trains could have additional stops to the ones already programmed, increasing the flexibility of rail freight.
Three new types of terminals
To make such an ambitious plan a reality, the promoters of the +FIRRST project are providing specific guidelines, especially when it comes to intermodal terminals. More specifrically, three types of terminals would be needed.
+FIRRST strategic terminals would be those ones located near the most important logistics hubs in the EU and should be equipped with five or six tracks. Intermediate terminals would be located in what FERRMED calls “moderate industrial areas” and should have three to four tracks. Finally, smaller terminals with one or two tracks would be in those areas and industries moving smaller volumes.
All these facilities should be equipped to handle trains of 750 metres in length. Said trains should be able to transport 42 trailers and have some room for swap bodies and containers and be tractioned by dual locomotives. Buffer tracks would also be necessary to facilitate acceleration and deceleration as well as accommodate dwelling times. In order for this to work, a single database providing full control of trains and track availability needs to be implemented.
Three +FIRRST phases
FERRMED and the rest of the promoters will prepare a three-phase deployment plan for the +FIRRST project. During the first phase, cross-border barriers will be removed and the system will be first implemented using existing terminals. The second phase will entail extending the initiative to facilities built in “abandoned or semi-abandoned marshalling yards”, FERRMED said. The third and last phase entails the identification of funding sources and bringing together an appropriate potential research project consortium.