This Thematic Research Summary on freight transport aims to provide the reader with a synthesis of results of completed European research projects related to that theme. The first part includes a brief overview of the scope of the theme and summarises the main policy developments at EU level relevant to the theme. The second part contains a synthesis of the main findings and policy implications from research projects and identifies the implications for further research. The research projects for which the synthesis is provided are European EU-funded projects that are completed and with results publicly available. Freight Transport addresses issues related to the movement of all kinds of goods from raw materials to finished goods and waste products. It makes use of local, regional, national and international transport systems and is increasingly adopting intermodal and multimodal solutions. It is also concerned with the organisation and management of the supply chain and logistics activities as they dictate the quantity and quality of freight transport demanded and the nature of the commercial relationships between shippers and transport service providers. In the sub-theme concerning trends in freight transport, logistics and supply chain management, research has identified the main hindrances to the development of rail freight transport, and has provided recommendations to improve the interoperability of railway systems. In the sub-theme concerning logistics and supply chain management tools, research has developed tools for port and terminal operators, for enhancing the waterborne mode, for tracking and tracing, and for fleet management. More specifically, a terminal simulation system to support managers, planners and designers of small to medium ports and terminals has been developed, as well as a software tool to support them in designing terminals and in selecting the more appropriate transhipment system complying with the main rail and maritime terminal operations. In the sub-theme concerning intermodal transport, a research paper on the role of collaborative business models for the success of intermodal solutions has been produced. In the sub-theme concerning urban freight transport a number of best practices has been identified in the areas of city access restriction, enforcement and control, waste transport, environment-friendly vehicles, and freight distribution management. For the full text of this document see: http://www.transport-research.info/Upload/Documents/201002/20100215_130…
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