Overview
TelliBox – Intelligent MegaSwapBoxes for Advanced Intermodal Freight Transport was an EU funded project within the Seventh Framework Programme. It concerned the development of an all-purpose loading unit, the MegaSwapBox, which is applicable for intermodal transport of road, rail, inland- and short sea shipping. The MegaSwapBox will combine both the advantages of containers and semitrailers via a technical and efficiency feasibility analysis, to be finalised in concrete demonstrators.
The overall aim is to counteract the trend towards increasing freight transport by making better use of the different modes on their own and in combination with each other ('Co-modality'), offered in an integrated, safer, greener, smarter and competitive product.
The main distinctive characteristics of the MegaSwapBox are:
- stackability;
- inside height of 3 metres;
- length of 45';
- loading capacity of 100³;
- openable on 3 sites;
- top-handable;
- pilfer and theft-proof.
Research, innovation and the creation of a seamless oriented transport concept are crucial for the further development of intermodal transport systems. Modal shift and intermodal transport are encouraged, within the actual Framework Programme of the European Commission, through:
- the improvement of the efficiency of interfaces between modes;
- the maximisation of cargo capacity;
- the optimisation of logistics services, transportation flows, terminal and infrastructure capacity within European and global supply chains.
TelliBox is going to give a concrete answer to all those issues through a custom-oriented intermodal transport approach and by encouraging dialogue between industrial and scientific partners, gathered on a neutral European intermodal platform.
The project achieved its results by consecutive and planned phases during a three year period consisting of:
- solution space exploration (Analysis Phase);
- technical attractiveness and feasibility analysis (Decision Phase);
- design of three concepts (Design Phase);
- profitability and usability analysis (Evaluation);
- construction of prototypes of the MegaSwapBox and the chassis (Prototype Construction);
- demonstration phase on a defined intermodal corridor from Poland, via Germany and the Netherlands, to the United Kingdom using rail, inland- and short sea shipping as well as road transport (Demonstration Phase).
The prototypes were subject to an optimisation cycle in order to redesign and improve the prototypes. Each phase of the project will be managed under scientific evaluation methods and profitability calculations.
Funding
Results
Increasing freight volumes, road congestion, untapped resources in other modes and the need for interoperable, resource-saving transport equipment have inspired the development of a new 45ft intermodal loading unit and an adaptable chassis. This 'TelliBox' (Intelligent MegaSwap Boxes for Advanced Intermodal Freight Transport) was introduced to the public during a final event on the premises of DKT Terminal, Duisburg in March 2011. The demonstrated MegaSwapBox offers the following advantages:
- trimodal: road, rail and waterway;
- stackability;
- inside height of 3 metres;
- loading capacity of 100 m³;
- top-handable;
- length of 45';
- openable on 3 sides;
- pilfer and theft-proof;
- comply with all existing standards;
- suitable for use on existing low-loader railway wagons;
- usable in road transport thanks to a suitably adapted chassis.
Innovation aspects
Synergies and system advantages of containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers have been combined, while ensuring compliance with EU legislative vehicle and dimension limits.
Technical Implications
The TelliBox (MegaSwapBox) has successfully been tested. It has been certified for application in freight transport (UIC, CSC und DIN EN 12642 Code XL) and it has also been successfully tested on a 5 000 km long trimodal demonstration track between Poland, Germany, Netherlands and United Kingdom.
Policy implications
For a sustainable growth of efficient freight transport more flexibility and intermodality is needed. The MegaSwapBox enables to achieve the intermodal integration and operational optimisation of freight transport. Increasing freight volumes, road congestion, untapped resources in other modes and the need for interoperable, resource-saving transport equipment have inspired the development of this new 45ft intermodal loading unit and an adaptable chassis.
This all-purpose loading unit is a market response to Europe's policy objectives of developing an integrated, seamless and competitive transport system. The ideas and contributions of freight forwarders, shippers, rolling stock manufacturers and scientists have been taken into account during the development of this new intermodal loading unit to serve road, rail, inland waterway and short sea shipping.
Other results
The scientific was to develop a 'MegaSwapBox' for transport use via road, rail and waterway, thus achieving intermodal integration and operational optimisation of freight transport.
Strategy targets
- An efficient and integrated mobility system: Service quality and reliability
- Innovating for the future (technology and behaviour): Promoting more sustainable development
Policy objectives
For a sustainable growth of efficient freight transport, more flexibility and intermodality is needed. The TelliBox makes that possible.