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Flexible Intermodal Horizontal Transshipment Techniques

Exploitable results

The starting point of the research activity in the field of intermodal transport has been the confidence that the development of horizontal transhipment technique (HTT) which allows reduction of costs coupled with a lower investment break-even point, can attract significant market shares of both the existing combined transport and the expanding non-standardised intermodal transport. The research activities included the analysis of existing techniques (mainly vertical) and their interoperability with the proposed HTT and the analysis of the existing terminals and their suitability to the introduction (total or partial) of HTT. As a result, followed the identification of the basic elements involved in the HTT and the modifications needed, including the identification and quantification of the costs related to the modifications required by terminals and involved elements (wagons, load units, transhipment equipment) for the adoption of HTT in parallel with the existing standard transhipment systems (mainly vertical). The research output produced the design of the modifications required by wagons, load units and transhipment systems to support HTT being interoperable with standard vertical transhipment systems. The design of terminal layouts suitable to host HTT in parallel with traditional vertical systems. The evaluation of the internal interoperability of the system and its compatibility with the vertical system. The analysis of the costs and benefits related to the implementation of the HTT. The costs calculated for the horizontal transhipment demonstrated a break-even price level which is about 33% less compared to the presently adopted vertical techniques. In fact the low costs of equipment, the automation of the system, and the small surfaces required are associated with low energy consumption and limited manpower requirements. In particular the infrastructures investment costs of the horizontal solution are 40% to 60% less than the vertical solution; the technological costs are 25% to 35% less; and the management costs about 30% to 40% less.

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