ITIP Introduction

The White Paper on the Future of the Common Transport Policy clearly states that the development of Combined Transport should be actively encouraged. The principle motivation behind this reasoning is to precipitate actions to add competitiveness for rail and waterborne transport and to make positive efforts towards the Goal of Sustainable Mobility. Cheaper and more financially attractive intermodal transport will result in the transfer of freight haulage from road to the more environmentally responsible rail and water transport modes.

Better terminal throughput will result in more efficient land use (smaller terminals which can be located closer to clients or in less socially sensitive areas), while the larger hubs can be better saturated with less polluting techniques. Moreover, cheaper intermodal freight will create greater opportunities for linkage with peripheral regions (reduced capital cost). This in turn will result in the stimulation of the local economy (regeneration) and generate jobs both in the terminals themselves and the rejuvenated/emerging businesses (rural regional development).

ITIP (Innovative Technologies for Intermodal Transfer Points) aims at task 2.2.1/4 of the the Key Action ‘Sustainable Mobility and Intermodality’ in the 5th Framework programme (Competitive and Sustainable Growth). This task is split into a Thematic Network on freight transfer points and terminals for all transport modes EUTP (subtask 1) and an Accompanying Measure (subtask 2). As this measure ITIP has to focus on the development and integration of new technologies to improve intermodal transport.

Target group of both ITIP and the Thematic Network EUTP are Member States, policy makers and researchers, European RTD projects, and the European industry (system suppliers, operators, end-users). ITIP will work closely together with EUTP, particularly in identifying and discussing problems and bottlenecks in the field of intermodal transport terminals; outcome of both subtasks should be recommendations to the target group as well as suggestions for demonstration projects.