Potentials for Modal Shift of Freight Traffic towards Rail Transport

The project examines capacity utilization of railway networks and corridors resulting from global forecasts. Where no data on specific corridors is available, estimates are derived from reasonable assumptions. The future workload on the network is compared to generalized capacities of parts of the network in order to reveal bottlenecks.

The projects described by the Federal Plan for railway infrastructure investments (Bundesverkehrswegeplan) are assessed by their effectiveness for rail freight. Only the parts of the network relevant to long-distance traffic and corridors where superior traffic growth is expected are studied. The goal was to conclude if extra traffic can be shifted from road to rail transport, assuming realistic infrastructure development.