One of the pronounced objectives in EU transport policy is to increase the share of rail in European freight transport, considering the rapidly growing imbalance between modes of transport in the European Union, and especially the problems due to the large and increasing market share of road transport. A study on transport users' quality requirements, which is essential knowledge in order to provide new competitive transport solutions in international European transports. So far, very few studies have been reported on this subject. Explorations of quality requirements are incorporated in subtasks in two international European logistic projects in which the Institute of Transport Economics (TOI) is involved among several scientific and commercial actors. A brief description of the two projects is presented below: The PolCorridor Logchain Study is a Eureka project which aim at the realization of an efficient rail based freight corridor served by a high-speed shuttle train, linking the Nordic region and the fast-developing markets of South and South-Eastern Europe. The PolCorridor project work has been ongoing since 2002, and the aim is to start operating the first trains during 2005. REORIENT is a project for the European Commission under the 6th Framework Programme (FP6), starting up in beginning of 2005. One of the important FP6 subjects is Sustainable Surface Transport, of which the REORIENT project covers a broad study of the European rail system with respect to freight transport. The survey data are supplemented by some additional information from external sources. Especially relevant for improving the information on transport routes, are GIS data. The study aims to lead to recommendations on quality improvements that are needed in order to shift cargo from road haulage to other modes, with a special view to increasing the competitiveness of the rail system. For the covering abstract please see ITRD E135207.
Samenvatting