Research project MD/DD/17 (Research action MD)
Research objectives
In order to prevent that traffic becomes a barrier to the socio-economic development, it is absolutely necessary to look for transport alternatives. Mainly, for good flows, inland waterway mode, with its considerably high amount of free capacities, appears to be such a possibility. For ecological, safety and economical reasons, inland waterways could contribute to a sustainable solution, reducing the present and future road traffic problems.
A more intensive economical and ecological integration of the environment friendly transport modes, rail and inland navigation, turns out to be an important political target. But up to now, a shifting of cargo to inland waterways has taken place to a very limited extend only. On the contrary, many shippers and forwarding agents do still prefer trucks, though this traffic mode has meanwhile reached its capacity limits on a plenty of transport routes. Thus, the main objective of this research study is to identify the main factors and their influence for a more intensive use and integration of inland waterways in transport chains.
Methodology
The methdology is represented in the following table.
WP1 Shifting possibilities
1.1 Analysis of Cargo Volume
- regions
- commodity groups
- distances
1.2 Shifting Potential
- compatibility within the
waterway network
- distance of transport
- time demand
1.3 Comparison of Shifting
Potential and Waterway
Capacities
- infrastructure including ports and transhipment facilities
- structure and size of the fleet
WP2 Shifting obstacles
2.1 Development of Questionnaires and Interview Guidelines
- groups to be questioned
- selection criteria
- development and coordination of questionnaires and interview guidelines
2.2 Realization of Interviews and written Questioning on the different axis of the Belgian network
2.3 Analysis of Results
- kind and importance of shifting obstacles
- differentiation with regard to regions, commodity groups, industries, etc.
WP3 Prerequisites for shifting:
Requirements for a full Integration of Inland Waterways into Intermodal Transport Chains
3.1 Technical Optimisation
- ports/terminals
- transhipment/storage
- transport containments
3.2 Operational Optimisation
- organisation and coordination demand
- responsibilities
- administrative regulations and rules
3.3 Market Optimisation
- transparency
- cooperation and coordination
Potential users
- Public authorities (Ministries of Transport, Public Works (Waterways), ...);
- Harbour authorities;
- Shippers.
Link to Sustainable Development
It is well known that the inland navigation generates less negative impacts in term of congestion, safety and environmental pollution than the road. It is thus important to understand what are the main barriers which hinder a shifting of cargo from the road to the waterway on the Belgian network where very specific economic, administrative, organisational, political and infrastructural conditions are existing.
Transport fluvial et développement durable: rapport final
Bruxelles: SSTC, 2001 (SP0891)
[To download]
Transport fluvial et développement durable: synthèse du rapport final
Bruxelles: SSTC, 2001 (SP0892)
[To download]
Waterway transportation and its sustainable development: summary report
Brussels: OSTC, 2001 (SP0893)
[To download]
