Leapfrog innovations in the intermodal road - rail haul industry

The transformation of the present haulage industry to a more sustainable system is a major challenge and a high priority in the political agenda. In the terrestrial freight market high hopes rely on the intermodal rail-road transport. However, intermodal transport is used for a rather small market segment of concentrated freight flows over long distances. This intermodal transport is based on the dominant technological and organisation paradigm of long trains and large transshipment facilities. Our main argument is that only radical innovations have the potential to achieve a shift to a more sustainable system. In recent years different ideas for a more flexible technology emerged and the Cargosprinter is likely to become a key element of a new technological paradigm for intermodal services over short and medium distances on the railway. In order to offer more flexible services and to penetrate the large LCL market segment further elements such as a small container and smart organisational solutions are necessary as well. The project aims at understanding the barriers to this kind of innovations and at proposing a framework, within which promising innovation can be tested under real market conditions.