Rail transport in supply chains

Henryk Zielaskiewicz,Mirosław Antonowicz

doi:10.24136/atest.2018.513

Henryk Zielaskiewicz, Mirosław Antonowicz

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.24136/atest.2018.513

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Abstract

The paper discusses the problem of competitiveness between the rail and road transport with reference to the EU policy for sustainable development of the transport branch. The paper presents the idea of complexity of services which facilitates the development of logistic networks. The authors formulate preliminary assumptions recommended for designing and construction of multimodal hubs. Further, they describe examples of European and Polish businesses which, thanks to the consolidation of services, widened their offer of logistic capabilities. The authors highlight the need for action aiming at the reversal of the unfavorable trend and increasing the cargo flow by rail, and not road. Finally, they discuss the necessity to reform the current freight transport by rail through the construction of comprehensive supply chains.

Highlights

Road transport prevails in the European Union
The paper presents the idea of complexity of services which facilitates the development of logistic networks
Much lower consumption of energy, the occupation of much less area to carry a statistical ton of cargo, or the elimination of road congestion are among many significant arguments supporting the necessity to increase the role of rail on the freight transport market

Summary

Introduction

Road transport prevails in the European Union This branch of economy is strongly dependent on crude oil and its derivatives. Crude oil comes in 80 % from resources outside Europe and it cost about 230 bn euro to import it in 2012 The consumption of such a huge amount of fuel causes emission of destructive exhaust fumes, inclusive of Co2, into the atmosphere. Lobby representatives for road transport very often raise the argument that cargo transportation by rail requires the production of electric energy. This is correct, it is undoubtedly more feasible to intercept fumes from one source, such as powerhouse chimney, than from a few thousand of mobile sources of fumes. The aim of the paper is to present rail transport in the context of supply chains creation

ROLE OF RAIL TRANSPORT IN SUPPLY CHAINS

Findings

Conclusions