Exploring the effective use of rail capacity for ProRail

Busy trains, full of passengers, are a common sight at rush hour – but what about the rest of the day? According to the data, the average occupancy in the Netherlands across an entire day is only 30%. Leaving 70% of the available transport capacity unused.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and ProRail asked TU Delft, TNO and Haskoning to investigate the feasibility of combining the transport of passengers and goods in passenger trains to make use of this spare capacity.

Haskoning compiled the integrated report – bringing input from our Rail & Mobility Hubs and Sustainable Mobility teams, alongside the logistics know-how of Districon.

Exploring the potential of multimodal transport

The feasibility study set out to explore the idea of taking goods on passenger trains and the possible uses that could be explored in a pilot. For example, deliveries to train station shops, or even shops in city centres in the future.

As inner cities are increasingly designated as zero-emission zones, this multimodal concept would meet the conditions of zero-emission transport – while also removing trucks and vans from inner cities, increasing safety and creating more space.

Mobility Concept TurboPlan 2030

The idea examined in our feasibility study is described in the “Mobility Concept TurboPlan 2030” and can be seen as a hybrid concept.

In concrete terms, this involves combining passenger and freight transport in one train with the flexible use of so-called cargo pods yet to be developed – creating a new transport aid, to be used in combination with both road and rail infrastructure.

In the first phase, a start can be made with compact rolling containers, which can be transported in existing passenger trains with minor adjustments. The aim of our research was to identify barriers, opportunities, requirements and conditions.

The outcomes of our study

Our initial exploration underlined the potential of this form of transport for achieving social objectives, as formulated in the national Mobility Vision 2050. However, a number of steps still need to be taken before realisation can take place. For example, implementing the hybrid concept requires adjustments to the technology, IT, safety and regulations of rail transport.

Moreover, it would be necessary to make agreements about the transport flows of different shippers so that transport demand and supply can be coordinated efficiently and effectively.

From potential to pilot

The interest in the results of the feasibility study and the ideas have not been limited to the Netherlands. Interest has also been shown from other countries and from Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail).

The next step in the project is to set up a possible pilot – to provide clarity about the practical consequences of the hybrid concept. The potential lies in responding to mobility demands in a smarter way and reducing the number of transport movements in the logistics sector, especially in urban centres.

A trial with deliveries to shops at some larger stations could be considered. Haskoning is currently consulting with various involved and interested parties about the preconditions for this pilot. One that has already been formulated is that within the hybrid concept, the priority of rail transport remains with passenger transport.