Intermodal transport centre inaugurated
Research into intermodal transport could attract more attention following the inauguration of the European reference centre for intermodal freight transport (EURIFT) in Hamburg on 15 August. EURIFT is funded by the European Union, the cities of Bremen and Hamburg and by the academic and private sectors. The centre will have a budget of two million euro for the first three years, a maximum of 645,000 of which will be provided by the EU. After this time, EURIFT should be able to support itself as an independent non-profit organisation, says the Commission. The focus of the centre will be on information dissemination, which may include results from research projects, a representative from the European Commission told CORDIS News. EURIFT may also publicise research seminars as and when they take place. The road sector is heavily dependent on imported oil products and is also responsible for most carbon dioxide emissions in the transport sector. The integration of all transport modes would alleviate the problem, and so promoting intermodal transport is a high priority for the European Union. EURIFT will be responsible for correlating and integrating relevant facts and figures for the European intermodal industry and making that information publicly and easily available. The centre will also act as a forum for the exchange of information whilst promoting best practices and encouraging innovation. The European Commission has recently awarded 7.5 million euro to 17 innovative projects promoting international intermodal transport. The grants were awarded under the PACT programme (pilot actions for combined transport).