The so-called combined transport is still a new phenomenon that evolves day by day. The transfer of cargo based on at least two sources of transport is a promising solution that optimizes not only the cost of the project, but also significantly affects the shorter time of service implementation. So what revolutions should be expected in the coming years in terms of multimodal transport?
Many benefits
In addition to significant cost and time savings, transit combined also has many other benefits. It brings to life alternative branches of transport, such as transport based on sea, air and rail routes. It also has a beneficial effect on the environment. The European Commission itself also has a favorable attitude to this sector of the economy, which, in order to reduce pollution, decides to implement the European Green Bridge strategy. The operation is of a long-term nature, because over the next thirty years new technological solutions will be gradually implemented, which will ultimately reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions, thanks to which the state of the environment is to improve.
Work has been underway for some time now to unify the law related to transport. According to the project's assumptions, the current transport by motor vehicles is to be gradually reduced to a minimum. The work carried out on the expansion of transshipment ports and rail and maritime infrastructure is to result in greater use of alternative transfer methods. This requires a significant contribution and involvement from the European Community countries - including Poland. The condition of the domestic railway must be adapted to the project's assumptions, as well as to the level of the leading EU countries. The concept of railway infrastructure is primarily associated with tracks, modern rolling stock, transshipment points and, most importantly, modern IT technologies that improve work. All this is to change the transport priorities in the country - currently, the key share in the exchange of goods is played by road transport, this state of affairs makes it impossible to implement the project assumptions.
Why are innovations introduced?
To get an answer to this question, the current transport market should be analyzed. As mentioned earlier, road transport plays a significant role in cargo transfers in Europe. Rising prices of fuels and machine operation have a negative impact on the average cost of the project. Adding to this breakdowns and frequent accidents, it is easy to conclude that the phenomenon in question requires improvement. How the climate has changed in recent years is also a disgraceful merit of, among others, cars. Therefore, limiting this area reduces the emission of harmful substances that have a negative impact on the environment.
Also in this case, new technologies come to the rescue - utility vehicles powered by electricity are the hope for the transport industry. It is true that at the moment the average range of passenger cars is enough to cover a route of about 500 kilometers, but considering how much has been achieved in recent years, you can be completely sure that sooner or later electric cars will replace those powered by a traditional energy source.
So what will the future hold?
The discussed strategies are long-term in nature - the accompanying idea of improving the condition of the environment requires the modernization of many areas of the economy. Given multimodal transport it has definitely more advantages than disadvantages. Currently, it allows goods to be transported in a short time not only within the territory of the country or neighboring countries. It is also an efficient logistics process in the area of intercontinental transfers. Carriers will struggle with the changes, shipping companies and national and European authorities. It is difficult to answer the question of what the future holds for the transport industry - it is certain that the impact of new technologies will improve many key factors - including multimodal transfer.
