High Capacity Transport Associated with Pre- and Post- Haulage in Intermodal Rail-Road Transport

Abstract: Intermodal rail-road transport, known as a possible solution for developing a sustainable and efficient transport system, has received great concerns recently. This thesis develops a model for analyzing the cost and environmental potential of longer and heavier vehicles (LHVs) related to pre- and post-haulage in rail-road intermodal transport chain. This thesis compares economic, emission, and total costs between three different transport networks including intermodal rail-road transport with current Swedish trucks, intermodal rail-road transport with LHVs, and the unimodal road transport. Contribution of the LHVs to cost efficiency of intermodal network will be identified by the traffic volume break-even between the three transport networks. The objective is to give a solution for enhancing the competitiveness of intermodal transport from a full costs perspective. By deducting an empirical diagram, this thesis will take a Swedish project as the case for calculation. The case will present three scenarios respectively, representing the three transport networks mentioned above.