Paper presented at the Logistics Research Network Annual Conference 2009, Cardiff, 9-11 September 2009
abstract
Most of the freight transport and climate change analysis to date has relied on estimating average emissions for the different modes of transport, generally on a per tonne kilometre basis for freight activity. While this provides a useful starting point for understanding the problem and identifying potential solutions, it provides no appreciation of the different impacts dependent on the characteristics of diverse freight flows. This paper aims to improve understanding of the variability in climate change impacts of different characteristics for a range of rail freight flows.
Planning Practice and Research, 23 (3). pp. 441-460. ISSN 0269-7459
abstract
Rail has increased its share of the British freight market in the past decade. One particular growth market has been intermodal traffic, where consignments are carried in unit loads (i.e. containers and swap bodies): these accounted for one-fifth of rail freight volumes in 2006/07. In this paper, the key trends are identified, considering both port and domestic services. A critical component of the rail system in allowing further development is the availability and capability of rail terminals. An analysis of terminal provision has been conducted, examining the relationship between the development of intermodal terminals and service provision, and identifying the key challenges for the future.
Paper presented at 40th Annual UTSG
Conference - Southampton, 3-5 January 2008
abstract
The continued growth in the volume
of international trade poses considerable economic and sustainability
challenges, particularly as transport routes become more congested and concern
grows about the role of transport movements in accelerating climate change.
Rail freight plays a major role in the inland transport of containers passing
through the main British container ports, and potentially could play a more
significant role in the future. However, there is little detailed understanding
of the nature of this particular rail market, especially in terms its current
operating efficiency.
This paper examines
container train service provision to/from the four main ports, based on
analysis of a representative survey of more than 500 container trains between
February and August 2007. The extent to which the existing capacity is utilised
is presented, and scenarios by which the number of containers carried could be
increased without requiring additional train service provision are modelled, to
identify the theoretical potential for greater rail volumes. Finally, the paper
identifies the challenges involved in achieving higher load factors,
emphasising the importance both of wider supply chain considerations and
government policy decision-making.
Figure: UK container train, October 2007
University of Westminster, London
Paper presented at LRN 2008
abstract
Rail
freight activity in Britain has increased by almost 50% in the last ten years, with the movement of deep sea ISO containers between ports and inland terminals being a significant growth sector, with considerable further growth potential.
High cube ISO containers have become more prevalent, posing a considerable challenge for rail freight operators since much of the rail network has insufficient loading gauge clearance to carry them on standard wagons. This paper investigates the extent to which rail currently handles high cube container movements to/from ports through the analysis of a representative survey of container trains in 2007. The incidence of high cube containers carried by services on gauge-cleared and non-gauge-cleared routes is identified to assess the extent to which a lack of gauge enhancement affects the movement by rail of high cube containers and to identify the impacts of the lack of gauge clearance on operating efficiency. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the likely consequences of the gauge enhancement schemes for which funding is now committed, assessing the extent to which they will reduce or remove the barriers associated with carrying high cube containers between ports and their hinterlands.
Paper presented at the OECD Global Forum on Transport and Environment in a Globalising World 10-12 November 2008, Guadalajara, Mexico
abstract
This paper first establishes the recent trends in international trade volumes. It then aims to identify the main ways in which this trade growth has impacted on road and rail freight transport activity at the international level, and finally considers the likely future direction of international land-based transport movement. In this assessment, the international focus is on cross-border road and rail transport, rather than on comparisons of trends and prospects across a range of different countries. However, there is huge variation in the types of trips that make up international freight in terms of their frequency, complexity, distance travelled and vehicle types used.
This paper shows that with developments to remove bottlenecks, combined with operational improvements, there is scope for considerable increases in the efficiency of international road and rail freight in many regions.
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updated 16 November 2009