In order to guarantee mobility and supply security in the future, the high utilization of roads requires breaking new ground. Hence, as part of the Federal Ministry for education and research funded joint project "Ferry Rail Link", a study of technologies for non craenable semi-trailers in combined road / rail transport in hinterland transport of ferries is carried out in the subproject RoRo Rail. This will help to relieve road transport. Semi-trailers are the relevant type of loading units in road-oriented European logistics. Moreover not craneable semi-trailers own a share of about 98% of all semi-trailers, for which there is currently no effective cargo transfer system road/ rail.

The study investigates all currently known technologies and makes a selection of those technologies that are suitable for transhipping semi-trailers of today approved construction of the road to rail and vice versa. Furthermore, the selected technologies are systematically analysed with respect to handling and transport processes and economic efficiency. Thus, the technologies can be evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively and recommendations for further development can be developed.

Logistical investigations are carried out at the IFL. These consist of, inter alia, development of a terminal concept for horizontal transhipment of not craneable trailers and logistical assessment of horizontal RoRo-systems by simulation. 

Methods used:

·       discrete event simulation