CO-ACT - Creating Viable Concepts for Combined Air/Rail Cargo transport
Overview
Background & policy context:
CO-ACT is an international project under European Commission's Fifth Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development & Demonstration, Competitive and Sustainable Growth Programme, Key Action 2 'Sustainable Mobility and Intermodality', co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport (DG TREN). Within the project there are two central issues: researching how fast cargo-trains and networks should be developed within Europe and experiencing in several test trials how fast cargo-train concepts should be exploited.
Objectives:
The main aim of the CO-ACT project was to identify and develop viable solutions for multi-modal cargo transport, with specific focus on the transportation of air- and time-critical cargo (for example flowers) by rail. The main objectives of CO-ACT were therefore the development of concepts for fast cargo-trains at a European level, and the development of inter-modal cargo-transport systems, thereby improving sustainable mobility.
This study would result in:
- Insight into the feasibility of cargo transportation via rail in Europe.
- Insight into the most promising technologies for multi-modal transport and transhipment.
- Recommendations for the use and harmonisation of load units, equipment and procedures (including administrative) in the multi-modal sector.
- An overview of the most promising innovative 'total' concepts for fast rail transport of air-cargo and other time-critical cargo in the EU, including a validation of concepts on the basis of their economical, commercial, organisational and technical viability.
- Practical experience gained from a pilot train study between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AAS) and Fraport.
Methodology:
The project had a two-fold strategy. Firstly the consortium would develop a fast cargo train for time-sensitive cargo (especially air-cargo) that would operate in a pilot study between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AAS) and Fraport, (Frankfurt Airport). Secondly, the realisation of this fast cargo train was to be placed in a broader European context, as it is necessary for market participants to be able to develop the same services on other destinations, built on the practical experience and the information generated in the project.
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