Example Of Essay On European Intermodal Railroad Freight Transport

Part 1: 550

Introduction
Transport industry is one of the core pillars of the development of a nation. It serves a significant role in facilitating the flow and distribution of products and services. The advancement of technology has made it possible to have numerous models of transport. Examples include road, water transport, air, and railways. In the recent past, there has been the innovation of intermodal railroad freight transport. Precisely, this paper explores the expansion of the European intermodal railroad freight transport (EIT) under the European Union. Additionally, it describes the development of intermodal transportation (IMT) in US. In addition, it also assesses the impact of deregulation of IMT in EU and US. Furthermore, it explores the difference between containerization and intermodalism.

Definition

Intermodal freight transportation refers to a chain consisting of numerous modes of transportation. As well, these modes of transportation are coordinated and interact in intermodal terminals to promote door-to-door service (Bektas & Crainic, 2007). Hence, intermodal transport refers to various chains involved in the transportation of goods from their origin to destination (Woxenius & Bärthel, 2008)

The expansion of the European intermodal railroad freight transport (EIT) under EU

The expansion of Europe’s EIT under EU was primarily a result of increased competition from the road sector. Additionally, the liberalization of the railway industry has had further impact on the expansion. The EU has played a significant role in the funding and development of EIT. For instance, the European Commission financed Assap-one project targeting the small container flows in the urban areas. Europe’s intermodal rail transport ranges from a sophisticated to the direct bundling networks (Woxenius & Bärthel, 2008).

The development of inter-modal transportation in US

Intermodal transportation in the US has gone through various phases. As a result, there has been a sharp increase in the average freight leads from approximately 1350km in 2000. The US government has faced a major challenge in striking proper balance between public and private involvement in the railroad industry. For example, the competitive market rules in the Stagger Act did not ensure the certainty of rail ability to increase its share in the transport industry (Hilmola & Szekely 2006)
The simplification of the railway companies resulted in the rebirth and survival of USA’s rail services. The simplification policy required companies to choose either to work as passenger services for freight transportation using vertical structures (Hilmola & Szekely 2006)

Impact of regulation on the continued growth of intermodal transportation in EU

The European Union opted for the regularization and privatization of the railways. Additionally, deregulation in countries such as Sweden has improved consumer orientation. For example, the Arlanda city express train operating from Arlanda airport to Stockholm state promoted the integration of airline travelling. In addition, it has developed railways as a starting ground for a trip. Hence, emphasis has been laid on the synchronization of long-distance trains with airline schedules. Additionally, the subdivision of the railway industry cluster into small business units has led to the reduction of unscrupulous behavior in the industry (Hilmola & Szekely 2006).

Impact of deregulation on the continued growth of intermodal transportation in US

According to Hilmola & Szekely, deregulation has brought positive long-term effect in the respective countries. For example, deregulation has contributed to the collaboration of the rail industry with harbors. Indeed, this was a result of the easing of negotiation with railway companies (Hilmola & Szekely 2006). As well, de regularization has significantly boosted the intermodal transport in USA (Woxenius & Bärthel, 2008).
However, inter-modal transportation in the US has faced various setbacks. One major reason is due to its mode-based development of public policies and infrastructure. The competition between different freight modes has resulted in independent infrastructural decisions. Consequently, these decisions have given rise to terminals and facilities locked into specific locations (Woxenius & Bärthel, 2008). The use of railroads has mostly become associated with low-pricing customers. Consequently, this has become a threat to the long-term level profitability and investments. In addition, it threatens the shareholder value development (Hilmola & Szekely 2006).

Part 2: 275

Difference between containerization and intermodalism
Containerization involves the use of specialized equipment for packing products on transit. On the other hand, intermodalism requires the use of a fully coordinated door-to-door delivery of freight using more than one dissimilar modes of transport. Intermodal transport conceptually identifies with combined transport. It occurs in infrastructural networks of nodes and links. Units of traffic that use motive power such as trains and trucks move the loads between networks of terminals(nodes).Additionally, if the use of direct links between two terminals fails, use of modes within intermediate terminals is an option. Intermodalism consists of boundary links made up of line haul and customer links (Woxenius & Bärthel, 2008).
According to Bektas & Crainic, 2007 a juxtaposition of containerization with intermodalism reveals various advantages of containerization. Firstly, containerization facilitates better management of the products in transit. Secondly, the flexibility of containers enables the transportation of a variety of goods. Thirdly, containerization eases the transfer operations at the terminus.Fourthly, containerization reduces damage and loss of products thus ensuring safety. As well, containerization restricts the modification of its contents to its place of origin or destination. Thus, it safeguards against unwarranted change (Bektas & Crainic 2007).
The percentage of containerized cargo between economically stable countries is rapidly increasing. Containerization interplays closely and significantly with intermodalism in a symbiotic manner. For instance, Containerization has revolutionized the intermodal transport. Maritime containerization has paved the way for intermodal transport. Additionally, containerization and inter modality have reinforced the symbiotic relationship between hinterland and foreland. As a result, a real hinterland-foreland continuum has emerged (Woxenius & Bärthel, 2008).

Conclusion

Indeed, IMT has played a crucial role in the development of both EU and US economies. As such, urgent measures need to be put to streamline the management of IMT. The governments of both EU and US should enact proper legislation to safeguard IMT inorder to reap its benefits. Indeed, the realization of this goal must involve, keen analysis of the impact of various policies on the growth of IMT.

References

Bektas, T., & Crainic, T. (2007). A brief overview of intermodal transportation. CIRRELT.
Hilmola, O. P., & Szekely, B. (2006). Deregulation of railroads and future development scenarios in Europe–literature analysis of privatization process taken place in US, UK and Sweden. In Nofoma Conference Proceedings.
Woxenius, J., & Bärthel, F. (2008). Intermodal road-rail transport in the European Union. The Future of Intermodal Freight Transport, Concepts, Design and Implementation, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, 13-33.