Technological Development in Small Intermodal Terminals: A Solution for a More Balanced Freight Transport?

Despite numerous efforts to balance the modal split of freight mobility, transalpine transport is mostly performed via road, causing negative consequences on the urban centres located along main infrastructural corridors. Combined Transport (CT) could contribute to a reduction of such pressure, but this form of transport is not considered competitive enough from operators. This paper assesses the role of technological development to improve the performances of CT. The analysis is focused on the transalpine corridor with the highest traffic volumes (Brenner) and considers both the linear and punctual infrastructure (respectively, the railway line and the intermodal terminal located near the city of Trento). After a description of the existing and planned infrastructural equipment and an analysis of the ITSs already adopted in other EU contexts, the suitability of the latter for Brenner is performed, distinguishing between a strategic and a tactical level. This analysis has relevant implications for urban mobility, since the infrastructure to access/leave the city suffers from huge congestion problems, also due to the coexistence of passenger and freight transport along the same routes. In this framework, the reduction of the road freight component can have positive effects on the overall circulation of vehicles.