Possibilities for intermodal grain transports in the Mälardalen region : environmental and economical aspects

Abstract: Logistics is neither a new term nor phenomenon. It concerns more or less everybody in every context of daily life. It is appreciated as being an integral part for success in modern industry. Logistics is considered to be the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods, services and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements. Intermodal transportation is a term within logistics that has gained increased international significance during the last couple of decades. Intermodal transportation is the integration of shipments across modes and it may be defined as being those integrated movements involving at least two different modes of transport under a single through rate. Its goal is to provide a seamless transport system from point of origin to the final destination under one billing and with common liability. The steady increment of environmental hazardous emissions caused by goods transport may lead to search for alternative modes of transportation other than lorry. Intermodal transportation can be a solution in order to reduce these emissions. In Sweden, goods transport in the agricultural sector is a significant component of goods transport as a whole. In this report, the grain sector in the northern part of the Mälardalen region has been studied to determine if there are possibilities to utilise intermodal transportation for grain transports between farms, silos, and industry. The objective of this study was to examine the possibilities for intermodal transportation in the grain industry by studying the grain related transports and material flow. Additionally economical aspects related to intermodal grain transports were studied. A case study was conducted on intermodal alternatives for the movement of 1 000 tonnes of grain from Uppsala to Stockholm. The case study results showed that there are environmental advantages in intermodal transportation. The report indicated that there seems to be a general reluctance, lack of confidence and interest to change to an intermodal system. The following conclusions were drawn after the study: ·After having studied, and mapped the flow of grain in the Uppsala / Mälardalen region, it is evident that the current locations of the silos in the area offer possibilities for intermodal transportation using already existing infrastructure. ·In terms of the CO2 emission rate, if using barge, it is reduced by 23 % compared to lorry when transporting 1 000 tonnes of grain between Uppsala and Stockholm. If using rail, the same figure is 98 %. In terms of SO2, it is significantly increased for barge, and in the case of rail significantly reduced compared to lorry. In terms of NOX, it is also drastically increased for barge, while in the case for rail it is reduced by 17 % compared to lorry. ·When using rail instead of lorry to transport 1 000 tonnes of grain between Uppsala and Stockholm the transport time, loading, and unloading included, is reduced by nearly 76 %. When using barge the same figure is 63 % compared to lorry. ·The loading and unloading process and time for barge and rail are not impediments for the introduction of intermodal transportation. ·Economical measures, like the Polluter Pays Principle, and governmental subsidies, can be taken to promote intermodal transportation. ·Disseminations of these results could increase the awareness of intermodal transportation. In order to further establish the benefits of intermodal transportation it is recommended that a practical study is done and that other parts of Sweden are studied in the same way as in this study.