Combined transport

The term combined transport (short CV) describes a multi-unit transport chain that integrates the different modes of transport. This form of organization is also referred to as breaking bulk and used both for the transport of persons as well as the transport of goods to the application. In contrast to direct traffic ( unbroken intercourse ) occurs in the combined traffic to a ( multiple ) Change or folding of persons or goods. Examples of broken traffic in the area of passenger transport can be found especially in public transport transport associations. In the carriage of goods, the combined cargo traffic (KLV ) and the container traffic are well known examples.

Disambiguation

The term combined transport is often equated with the terms of multimodal and intermodal transport. This approach is particularly likely too short for freight transport and it has therefore been introduced by the European Conference of Transport Ministers (not generally accepted ) definition:

Distinction

When accompanied combined transport ( separate charging unit ) and unaccompanied ( dependent loading unit ) can be distinguished transport processes.

Accompanied combined transport (also: piggyback transport ) stands for the sub-region, are transported in the limbs and articulated trucks using ships ( Ro-Ro method ) or trains ( rolling road ). The railway network is in place specific low-floor wagons are used, drivers traveling in a couchette with.

In unaccompanied combined transport (also: container traffic) only the charge units are handled without accompanying motor vehicles. These include containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers. The loading process takes place at terminals, generally in freight centers, maritime or inland ports are located. This unaccompanied area makes up the greater part of combined transport.

Areas of application

Combined transport is used to exploit the strengths of different modes optimally. Thus, rail, inland waterway and Seeschiffverkehr are only economically viable from relatively large distances and high freight. They are therefore well suited for combination with the temporally and spatially flexible truck traffic, the small-scale distribution takes over ( pre-and post on the road).

Political support is provided in Germany because of the opportunities for the transfer of freight from road provides the KV to more environmentally friendly modes of transport such as rail and waterways and to congested roads to relieve (especially roads). In addition to regulatory relief (increased maximum weight of trucks of 44 t, exceptions of Sundays, public holidays, or holiday driving bans, the vehicles used exclusively for pre-and post of the motor vehicle tax ), a financial subsidy, in particular as regards the building of freight villages ( transhipment terminals ) by the federal government and the EU (TEN- subsidies).

Technical developments

Besides the classical Combined transports container handling on flat cars and rolling road there are a number of developments that have to accelerate and simplify the loading process.

For the loading of trailers by cranes and industrial trucks trailers have been developed that can be lifted by forceps handler on the bag wagon. However, these semi-trailers must meet increased demands on the strength. Rail Cargo Austria improved this method with the ISU system ( Innovative semi-trailer envelope). These are used as targets of the crane lifting the kingpin and the rear wheels of the trailer. These fulfill due to their road use already the strength requirements.

A major disadvantage of the rolling road is their serial loading. For this reason, various systems have been developed in which the car can be loaded in parallel. This special pocket wagons are used, where the bags can be pivoted. So when CargoBeamer the bag can be moved horizontally to the outside and the trailer directly, in parallel and without any additional aids and unloaded. A similar system is Modalohr dar. Here the pocket of the car for loading is pivoted laterally. As a prerequisite for these systems, the terminal must be designed so that a walk-in access to the car bags is possible. By lowering the cart bag on the provision of a ground level lowered to street level, the track can be avoided. This is approximately realized in the system " Mega Swing". Alternatively, can be overcome as the system Flexi wagon loading ramp also the difference in level between the car and road bag.

Even in the classic container loading various developments are driven, such as the KV- Roller ( formerly Mobile ), which is similar to the CargoBeamer the truck parallel to the train and pushes the container of special devices on the train. This is a container crane dispensable. The system will also remain compatible with this crane technology. Another possibility is established, the roll-off transport system ( ACTS), in which a container with a side- pivoted rolling device on the rail car locked and can be discharged.