Transport Research and Innovation Portal

Background & policy context

The European Transport Policy, see COM(2006)314final, proposes the concept of co-modality as an essential instrument to achieve a high level of mobility and environmental protection. Co-modality is defined as the efficient use of different transport modes on their own as well as their combination.

The existing transport system still remains far away from that concept. The interface between long and short-distance transport in a door-to-door trip is frequently the weak link in the transport chain for both passenger and freight transport. The current situation favours the choice of uni-modal solutions by users, and handicaps the development of more competitive and more sustainable transport chains. In addition, this situation reduces the number of alternatives available to users, such as innovative services and intermodal transport. The users have to cope with complex, expensive and inefficient operations in these interfaces.

Objectives

Based on existing research and practice the CLOSER project will develop innovative tools for the analysis of interfaces and check these tools in a number of case studies. As a result specific recommendations to stakeholders will be provided in order to get:

1. a more systematic approach to the whole project cycle of interfaces from planning to design and operation;
2. specific guidelines for decision makers in order to cope with the challenges of a particular project, and to get the most out of the opportunities that each project offers in the areas of transport, spatial, and economic development;
3. a friendlier regulatory environment; fostering cooperation and supporting better integrated interfaces;
4. improved mechanisms for funding those concepts with a higher degree of integration (including EU funding schemes); and
5. in-depth involvement of stakeholders, particularly transport operators.

Methodology

Improve existing knowledge in the field of operation of intermodal long-to-short-distance interfaces, by:

1. providing tools for the characterisation of those interfaces, including the development of key indicators which should facilitate the characterisation of interchanges, and help to identify the associated opportunities for sustainable development associated in each case;
2. Streamlining the project cycle, including financial aspects, by identifying key barriers and obstacles within the process;
3. Customising research results in the form of ad hoc recommendations and guidelines for each group of stakeholders. Consolidating results from previous research projects and updating the discussion of future trends.

Research Programme

FP7-TPT - Transport (Including Aeronautics) - Horizontal activities for implementation of the transport programme (TPT)

Leading institution(s)

Other:

The European Commission

Type of funding

Public (EU)

Final report

Final report (1933 Kb)

Other project deliverable

Decision-Making Guidebook for the Ineterconnection... (2280 Kb)

Analysis of the D-M framework (1852 Kb)

Case studies: results and synthesis (6680 Kb)

Core indicators for the interconnection between shor... (441 Kb)

dissemination-plan (630 Kb)

General analysis framework including templates for t... (938 Kb)

Guidance and recommendations for interconnection bet... (1830 Kb)

Guidance and recommendations for interconnection bet... (2164 Kb)

Interconnections between short and long-distance tra... (1785 Kb)

Monitoring of conference papers (97 Kb)

Monitoring of journal publications (86 Kb)

Policy Advisory Group recommendations (2013 Kb)

Review templates and review report of previous resea... (1872 Kb)

WP2 final report - Emerging mobility schemes (914 Kb)

Partners

Czech Republic
Centrum dopravníhovýzkumu v.v.i – CDV

Finland
ValtionTeknillinen Tutkimuskeskus – VTT

France
INRETS - Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et leur Sécurite

Germany
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Institut für Verkehrs- und Infrastruktursysteme - FhG– IVI

Greece
Centre forResearch and Technology Hellas / Hellenic Institute of Transport - CERTH/HIT

Lithuania
Vilniaus Gediminotechnikos universitetas Transporto mokslo institutas - VGTU-TMI- Lithuania

Norway
Transportøkonomisk institutt – TOI

Spain
Centro de Estudios y Experimentación de Obras Públicas (Coordinator) - CEDEX

Contact for further information

Ingrid Nagel
Fraunhofer Institut für Verkehrs- und Infrastruktursysteme IVI
Zeunerstrasse 38
01069   Dresden
Germany

Tel: +49 351 4640-695

CORDIS: Project page
Website: Organisation website
Website: CLOSER Project website