La razionalizzazione dei flussi di merci attraverso i terminali intermodali

The promotion of railway modal share has large benefits on the environment by reducing the modal share of road transport, which is responsible for about one-fourth of European CO2 emissions. The aim of this dissertation is to analyse freight transport flows in order to provide operational solutions to increase the modal share of railways transport through a better use of intermodal terminals. In the first part of the dissertation a theoretical survey of freight transport models is provided, in order to show the linkage between freight transport and economic activities. A comprehensive analysis of data sources at European, national and regional levels is also provided. In the second part of the dissertation an application to the case of railway intermodal terminals in France is provided, with some comparisons to other European countries. The scope of the analysis is to estimate the potential demand of combined transport, to assess the productivity of intermodal terminals and to evaluate the socio-economic and financial impact of new investments in terminals, also through new project financing schemes (PPPs). The results show a large potential for railway intermodal transport, especially in connection with maritime ports, and low productivity in existing terminals. As a consequence it’s fundamental to concentrate new investments in a few high potential locations, in order to attract private investments and to provide a better use of public funds. The policy implications of this analysis are multiple: it concerns first the railway companies and the infrastructure managers, which should better plan their investments according to commercial needs. It concerns also governments and regional authorities which should better concentrate public funds on optimal terminal locations.