Evaluation of Effectiveness of Different Transport Modes for Regular Mass Freight Transportation

Abstract

The article deals with different transport modes for regular mass freight transportation, their efficiency evaluation is conducted on the bases of cost, operational and environmental properties. Introduction. Due to demand in ensuring mass transportations between Southeastern Asia and Europe, there is a topical issue of efficient application of different types of ground transport. There is a request rising, to use cutting edge achievements in technology, to increase speeds of freight transportation for long distance and their safety and environmental friendliness enhancement. Analysis. Consideration of cost properties of application of different transport modes for mass freight transportation allows revealing that the lowest infrastructure cost is typical for conventional railway transport; the lowest prime cost of transportation is ensured by maglev transport with permanent magnets of the “RosMaglev” technology; the lowest commercially profitable mode of transport for today’s level of science and technology is vacuum transport. Operationally, the leading project is “RosMaglev”, with the vacuum transport having the lowest operational efficiency. From environmental and carrying safety points of view, railway transport has gone pretty far in the recent two decades. However, a more sustainable and safe one is the maglev and vacuum modes of transport, which is explained by lack of emissions and other types of pollution, including noise pollution. In terms of safety, maglev transport is the most competitive mode of transport. Whereas, vacuum transport is the most dangerous one. Results. For mass freight transportation, the most promising mode of transport is the “RosMaglev” permanent magnets maglev transport, according to the authors. The technology allows significant increase of infrastructure construction costs. The second most promising mode is conventional railway transport. However, if the demand in transportation is low and the energy efficient traction rolling stock is implemented, the high-speed freight railway transport may be highly competitive, especially in countries with developed high-speed railway network. The vacuum transport holds firmly the third place. Conclusion. The relevance of maglev transport implementation for mass freight transportations is obvious. The maglev technologies now in use in many countries for carrying passengers have proved profitable, safe and convenient. Technical “maturity” of these technologies allows considering all points and factors when constructing maglev freight lines which is very topical due to increasing need in searching transport routes alternative to sea routes.