The aim of WP8 is to identify and analyse the practical (i.e.
technical, operational, organisational and commercial) means to reduce door-to-door
intermodal transport costs, and to set target values to serve as benchmarks for future
cost reduction actions. Systematic exploitation of the knowledge and contacts gained in
other WPs as well as critical input provided by the users group will be included for that.
Task 8.1
Technical and operational means
Technical and operational means are identified through the analytical
phase of internal and external cost calculations. They will include technical issues
concerning pre and end haulage, traction modes (railways, barges, short sea shipping),
operational traction practices (load factors etc.), terminals practices (cost per ILU) and
the role of different intermodal load units. Criteria of price, lead time, safety and
other quality aspects will be taken into consideration in order to revel the possible
means to reduce costs in a feasible way from the business point of view.
Task 8.2
Organisational and commercial means
Whereas technical change often has been addressed in research
programmes, organisational and commercial changes could be even more important. Intermodal
transport is, fundamentally, a complex system, associating various, complementary and
still sometimes contradictory parties. Therefore, the adjustment of roles and interfaces
is a key issue that affects efficiency. Friction costs derived from the functioning of
transport chain will be analysed in order to formulate cost reduction options related to
organisational and commercial means
Task 8.3
Combination, and implementation of means
Means to reduce cost have been identified mainly through an analytical
approach. Their possible promotion and implementation will necessarily have a system
dimension, taking into account the variety, specificity and interaction among involved
actors. A combination table of available improvements will be set up, referring each item
- whether technical or organisational - to a particular agent. The synthesis phase will
show which options are compatible and easily additional and which raise more complicate
issues, or even introduce conflicts among the partners of an intermodal chain. This,
together with the reactions collected from the users' groups will serve as the basis for
the elaboration of cost reduction scenarios (to be carried out in WP9).
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