Source: https://www.energie-plus.com/le-transport-combine-un-moteur-du-report-modal-debrider

Author: Léa Surmaire

Combined transport, a driver of modal shift to be unleashed

In order to green the transport of goods, the State is calling for the progression of logistics chains integrating various modes of transport: barges, trains and trucks. For this, various measures have been put in place.

In order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from freight transport, responsible for around 10% of French emissions, the modal shift from road to maritime, river or rail can be considered. In fact, transporting a product by train or barge consumes respectively six and three times less energy than by truck. This also allows a division of GHG emissions by nine for rail and by two or four for the river, depending on the type of boat used. However, not all departure and arrival points have river or rail infrastructure nearby. The truck can therefore be used in addition on the first and last kilometers. This is combined transport (TC).