3.4.3. Lack of intermodal service information

There is a lack of marketing and door-to-door service information. Shippers lack knowledge of

the existence of intermodal transport as an alternative to road transport. However, the varied and not

always complementary modal systems have encouraged the development of third party logistics,

offering a range of third party services to link the modal services into a seamless door-to-door

operation. Third party companies have created a service in intermodal transportation by serving as

integrators in filling the gaps and linking the modal systems. These companies have the best chance to

develop the skills to serve the increasing demand for high quality logistics.

3.4.4. Lack of competition in the rail sector

There is a need for greater competitiveness and improved quality of service, including reliability,

in the railway sector in a number of countries and regions. This would enhance the development of

intermodal transport as a competitive alternative to modally based operations (ECMT, 2001).

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3.5. Policy recommendations

Intermodal transport can contribute to sustainability as well as offer substantial efficiency gains

for industry if constraints can be overcome. The following areas need policy action.

I) Need to improve physical and information infrastructure

Each government needs to provide the framework necessary for the development of the physical

infrastructure and links essential to intermodal transport systems, including access roads to terminals

and seaport channels. For example, landside congestion at ports needs to be reduced through the

development of cost-effective infrastructure to improve access and the application of scheduling

systems based on advanced tracking technologies in order to reduce queuing problems.

At the ports of Los Angeles and Seattle in the United States, on-dock rail facilities are being

provided for American President Lines. This improvement of the physical infrastructure decreases the

number of truck movements required between terminals and nearby intermodal rail terminals, and

eliminates a gate barrier, always a potential cause of delay and cost. In addition, the Port of Seattle has

developed an electronic data information infrastructure, known as “Linx”. The benefits of Linx

include: uniform communications with all trading partners (customers, shippers, carriers, etc.); onetime

data entry; reduction of paperwork; automatic reconciliation; and better market position relative

to non-EDI competitors.

Since competition between port authorities may lead to sub-optimal locations of ports, some

degree of consolidation may be necessary to make intermodal services cost-effective. This may require

the development of a differentiated terminal location policy at the national level (for example, Japan),

or at the international level (for example, at an EU level).

In addition, systems essential to information infrastructure (including global positioning systems

and advanced communication systems to permit the intermodal exchange of information) need to be

further developed in order to maximise the capacity of the entire intermodal transport system.