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Two years ago, the International Union of Railways (UIC) commissioned a study on the European rail network’s infrastructure capacity reserves.

The study found that all European intermodal stakeholders would need to make substantial infrastructure investments and operational improvements to shift more freight to rail by 2020. A 2001 European Commission white paper predicted freight-rail’s market share would increase to 15 percent by that year.

Now, the UIC wants to conduct a study to determine how more efficient management, and operating and working procedures can help de-saturate the rail network and intermodal terminals, and shift more freight to rail.

Expected to take two years to complete, the “Developing Infrastructure Use and Operating Models for Intermodal Shift” or DIOMIS study will analyze capacity management models and railroad operating practices, and recommend ways the intermodal industry can improve services to meet future market requirements. DIOMIS also will determine ways to foster more cooperation among all industry stakeholders, including railroads, terminal and intermodal operators, shippers, infrastructure managers and transportation authorities.

The UIC has commissioned a Kessel+Partner/Kombiconsult consortium to conduct the study. A UIC project team also will collaborate with experts from the International Union of Combined Road-Rail Transport Companies and Europlatforms to gather input for the study.