New long-distance transport solutions published
Improving the provision of transport services and seamless transfer between different modes of transport can lead to many benefits such as enhanced productivity, time efficiency and increased well-being for society. The EU-funded project 'Optimal regulation and infrastructure for ground, air and maritime interfaces' (ORIGAMI) sought to investigate the potential for improving long-distance door-to-door passenger transport chains through improved co-modality and intermodality. Building on a wealth of knowledge generated by other EU-funded projects on the topic, the project team began by studying traveller behaviour, as well as behavioural differences between countries and regions. It identified factors that will influence future travel behaviour, such as demographics and social trends, articulating traveller requirements for effective door-to-door transport. A key part of the project involved defining best practices for technical solutions in intermodal transport. The project then looked at transferring solutions and best practices that work well in one particular location to be implemented in other situations, in consultation with relevant stakeholders. ORIGAMI also worked on building scenarios for future co-modal and intermodal transport systems in line with transport policy criteria. It defined future research needs and contributed recommendations for future policies and actions in the field. Importantly, the project's work involved building European-wide intermodal transport scenarios for 2030 and models to provide forecasts for demand, with special focus on long-distance passenger transport. The work produced conclusions and recommendations for future research in the transport sector, focusing particularly on overcoming a shortage of relevant research data, traveller and system needs, and future research needs. The project team identified 167 solutions under ORIGAMI that are designed to improve long-distance transport for passengers. These solutions are available online at the project website. ORIGAMI results have been disseminated through different means such as conference presentations and leaflets. The research will undoubtedly be pivotal for furthering improvements in long-distance and door-to-door passenger transport in Europe in the coming decades.
