A research project commissioned by the Dutch government to identify factors which determine modal choice in freight transport and to assess the potential for a shift from road to railway and inland waterway transport is described. This included a literature study, meetings with shippers and transit operators, and two types of field work. The field work consisted of: a) in depth interviews with transport and logistics managers; and b) the use of Stated Preference techniques to assess the willingness of shippers to switch freight from road to either the railways or the inland waterways. Modal shifts were found to be unlikely to occur unless the marketing approach, organisational structure and technological innovation in railway and inland waterway were altered significantly. Possibilities for influencing modal split are discussed. These include: restrictions on the use of infrastructure; higher charges for road use; and restrictions on mode use.
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