The present document is a compilation of 4 different reports that are part of Task 2.3.1: Conceptual terminals’ design methodology for different markets.

Part 1 (KTH): Description of intermodal transport systems for different markets, terminals and units.

The first section of this report provides an overview of the evolution of rail transport in Europe, how wagonload and intermodal transportation have developed, pointing out the important evolution of intermodal traffic and specifically the expansion of semi-trailer transport traffic.

The second section describes the structure of the intermodal markets, providing useful data on train weights, container loads, technologies, units’ utilization and typical train compositions, the kind of traffic present at the terminals to be described. 

The concluding remarks in this section show the relevance of the decay of wagonload traffic in Europe and the important expansion of intermodal transport. It proposes some ideas for improving rail transport, mentioning the following aspects:

·         Advanced wagonload booking system and path allocation

·         Automation of terminals

·         Automatic coupler 

·         Loading gauge extension for intermodal and semitrailer transport 

·         Megahubs for intermodal transport 

·         Longer Trains and multiple traction

·         High-capacity wagons

In the third section, a picture is given of the different kinds of intermodal terminals to be found in the European networks. Their most important parts and their performance, are described as well as the typical loading units used.

The fourth section is dedicated to describing the wagonload terminals and their performance, taking in account the severe decline in the utilization of these kinds of terminals and the important decrease in loading places and industrial sidings.

Part 2 (DICEA):  Development of the assessment methods of innovative measures and technologies based on analytical and simulation tools

This report illustrates some of the assessment methods of innovative measures and technologies based on analytical and simulation tools for future freight terminals. The aim is to propose adaptable generalised methods for different types of freight terminals such as rail-road, rail-rail, rail-waterways, and small (e.g. liner terminals), medium or large terminals (e.g. hub terminals). This sub-task is divided into two sections: in section 1 a generalized approach based on an analytic method is described and section 2 illustrates the simulation tool. Both sections include concrete examples.

Analytical methods

·         Deterministic methods: every event, including human cognition and behaviour decision and action is causally determined by an unbroken chain of prior occurrences;

·         Stochastic methods: a state’s next state is determined both by the process's predictable actions and by a random element.

Simulation methods

·         Simulation tools: each process has a bounded time between its execution steps. The process’s local clocks may drift either from each other or from global physical time only by a bounded time.

Part 3 (UNEW): Development of the stepwise approach for designing and evaluating the rail freight terminal of the future.

This subtask has tow inter-related components: a) Develop a stepwise approach for designing the rail freight terminal of the future and b) stepwise approach for evaluating the rail freight terminal of the future.   

The following terminal typologies are used in this report. 

·         Intermodal terminals

o   Rail-road

o   Rail-rail

o   Rail-waterways

·         Wagonload terminals

o   Rail-industry

o   Rail-truck

o   Rail-ship

·         Trainload terminals

o   Timber

o   Coal 

o   Oil

o   ...

·         Internal rail system

o   Marshalling yards

o   Shunting areas

o   Stations

o   Sidings

The report ends with a definition of key performance indicators of the terminals and the interdependence between them.

Part 4  (VPF): Methodology for the conceptual design of innovative sea-rail interfaces.

This paper presents a conceptual methodology for designing the future rail-sea interfaces. It is divided into 3 parts.

·         Identifying the requirements and challenges of the terminals in terms of types of cargo, vehicles and operations taking place there.

·         Review of the state-of-the-art on this type of terminal and gap identification

·         Research on design possibilities following an innovative approach

·         Utilization of specific tools for design, which provide help in understanding the dimensioning of rail-sea interfaces