The Future of Freight

TLDR: In this paper, the authors discuss some of the factors that are limiting rail as a means of freight transportation and suggest that a different approach to the management of infrastructure could better accommodate very short term traffic.

Abstract: This article discusses some of the factors that are limiting rail as a means of freight transportation. The current model in which freight rail operators are interested only in moving large volumes of bulk commodities over long distances is limiting rail's ability to penetrate growing markets and will constrain rail's competitive ability. There is a need for a massive change in terms of train technology, asset management and the integration of the train planning process. Smaller, faster and more flexible train formations offer significant potential advantages over big heavy trains. It is suggested that a different approach to the management of infrastructure could better accommodate very short term traffic. To meet the demands of a changing market, the rail sector must step outside its long time span position of product development and service life of its mobile assets.