IMPULSE - Interoperable Modular Pilot Plants Underlying the Logistic Systems in Europe
Overview
Background & policy context:
There is a requirement to increase the competitiveness of intermodal transport in order to stem the rising trend of road freight traffic, thus providing environmental and social benefits. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office' />
Objectives:
The project's key objective is to determine, introduce and recommend focused technical and logistics developments which will result in increased economic, technical and management efficiency of intermodal transport to deliver trans European freight at lower cost, within a quality framework, while meeting the customers' needs. IMPULSE focuses on rail aspects in connection with the other modes. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office' />
Methodology:
The four main activities in the project are:
- analysis of the requirements for integrated terminals and rolling stock in terms of prime elements (market forces, Trans European Network effects, transport modes, intermodal transport units and trunk haul production forms) measured against criteria such as cost-effectiveness, interoperability, modularity, availability and reliability;
- to modify and harmonise existing advanced intermodal terminal technology in use at test sites to fit the results of the initial analysis and meet the key objectives;
- to test these installations and demonstrate their impact on socio-economic parameters, such as network operation, intermodal break-even distance, value added services, regional transport flows and human and environmental factors;
- recommendations for future implementation policy on intermodal terminals and measures to improve market penetration. The project involves six demonstration/testing sites for new transfer technologies, rolling stock and full scale terminal operations.
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