Studie von K+P Transport Consultants

The German Federal Transport Ministry asked the experts from K+P Transport Consultants to examine the 'Transport-economic impact of innovative goods vehicles'. Their reports were published in September 2006 and September 2007. The aim of the studies was to examine the impact that Gigaliners would have on rail freight, on combined rail-road transport and on deep sea container movements to and from the ports.

The conclusions:

• Combined transport would lose 32% of its volume. The experts took into account the reductions in price and payload utilisation caused by Gigaliners. Cross-alpine traffic was not taken into account.

• K+P Consultants forecast a downward spiral. The reduction in the freight volumes of combined transport would lead to increased unit prices, resulting in higher production costs and the loss of markets that barely cover their costs. This would in turn lead to further reductions in the freight volumes of combined transport. The initial 32% reduction would only be the beginning.

• In addition, the experts concluded that conventional rail freight transport would also experience a modal shift to Gigaliners, particularly in single-wagon transport to sidings. The result was that up to 25% of railway transports would be shifted back to the road.