The UIC ERIM study has estimated that average annual growth for rail freight will be around 3%- 3.5% up to 2020 on the major European rail freight corridors. Another UIC study, DIOMIS has established that Combined Transport has been and will continue to be the most dynamic segment within the rail freight traffic:

In 2005, the total combined transport traffic by rail accounted for 125 million tons, corresponding to 12.7 million TEU. About 56% of this volume was transported in maritime containers from sea ports to the hinterland and 44% in continental movements (domestic or international) between inland combined transport terminals. The annual growth is estimated to be 8% for container hinterland traffic and 6% for domestic continental and almost 9% for international continental traffic.

Whereas Diomis has established the best practises for more efficient use of existing infrastructure along the corridors and in CT terminals, ERIM study has estimated the future capacity needs along the corridors to carry the forecast traffic.

Whilst the above-mentioned studies are complementary, TEMA was commissioned to complete them with analysis on the infrastructure capacity on nodes and on the so-called last mile, the link connecting the CT terminals to the main line.