WMVG

Modern economies need a strong transport sector, since only the mobility of goods and people enables a division of labour and value creation in all economic sectors (Federal Office, 2006). Although the transport sector has grown continuously over the last 20 years since reunification in 1991, the share of inland waterways and rail in transport performance has remained at a constant or slightly declining level, while the share of the truck transport mode is growing continuously (Federal Office, Transport at a Glance: Fachserie 8 Reihe 1.2, 2011). However, the shift from HGVs to trains or inland waterway vessels offers one of the main potentials for reducing CO2 or particulate emissions in container-based freight transport.

In this research project it is to be investigated which influencing or resistance factors influence the decision regarding the mode of dispatch of containers on the modes of transport truck, barge and rail during transport from the consignor to the consignee. These findings are to form the input parameters of a transport mode selection model with which container-based road freight transport is to be analysed under changing conditions.

The change of these resistance factors (e.g. rising fuel prices, faster rail connections, easy network access, etc.) can be considered by varying the input parameters in the model. By comparing the resulting loads in the transport network, modal shift effects between the transport modes depending on the resistance factors are to be determined. Thus, the research project can investigate which part of the container-based road freight traffic in the Danube corridor (TEN corridor 17) could be shifted to inland waterways and rail under which conditions. The methodology with the knowledge and results gained in this research project can serve shippers, shippers and operators of freight transport centres as well as public institutions as a strategic planning basis for the design of transport relations along the Danube corridor.

Responsible for the project: Prof. Dr. Oliver Kunze, Competence Center Logistics in cooperation with regional companies, the IHK Schwaben and the University of Hamburg

Duration: 2010 to 2013
Funding: by the State Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts of the Free State of Bavaria

Final report:here (opens in a new window)