The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of distance on choosing between intermodal railroad and unimodal road transport and to examine the hypothesis that distance is an important factor influencing the mode choice in freight transport. Methods: In order to make comparisons between the two options, the ideas and elements of the analytical transport system modelling found in the literature are used. The calculation of break-even distances is based on a Monte Carlo simulation that takes randomly generated shipper and consignee locations in two separated market areas, independently of a certain transport corridor, into account. Results: The results confirm the importance of distance for the mode choice and show there is not only one but in fact many break-even distances between the two options. They vary considerably depending on different travel plans, and the transport infrastructure conditions. Conclusions: Despite assumptions inevitable in such general analysis, the results show that intermodal transport can provide a competitive alternative to unimodal road transport, even over relatively very short distances if the drayage costs are not too high. We believe the paper can help improve understanding of competitiveness in the freight transport sector and may also be useful for policy-and other decision-makers to better evaluate the opportunities and competitiveness of intermodal railroad transport.

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of internalization of external costs on modal split in the freight transport market. It is expected that the internalization of transport externalities will contribute to the redistribution of freight volumes in favor of non-road transport modes, especially railway. To answer this expectation, the break-even distances between intermodal rail-road and unimodal road are calculated. The calculation is based on the costs, as the most important factor that influences the mode choice in the freight transport market. In order to establish as general as possible a model, independent of a certain transport corridors, the model relies on a Monte Carlo simulation that takes account of a randomly generated shipper and receiver's locations in two separated market areas. The model consists of a submodule for calculating drayage distances and costs in a circular market area and another submodule for calculating the distances and costs between two separated market areas, taking different distance metrics into account. The results confirm the importance of internalization of external costs on the mode choice and its contribution to the more sustainable transport system. Additionally, the results show there is not only one but, in fact, many break-even distances between the two modes. They vary considerably depending on different travel plans, and shipper/receiver locations within market areas. Despite the inevitable assumptions made in such general analysis, the results reveal that intermodal rail-road transport can provide a good alternative to unimodal road transport, even over relatively very short distances if the drayage costs are not too high and if external cost of transport are included in the price of all transport modes. We believe the research helps better understand competitiveness in the freight transport sector and may also be useful for policy-and other decision-makers to decide the priority of policy options, such as providing subsidies to stimulate intermodal rail-road transport. Increasing truck rates, e.g., by adding taxes, has been found to be effective policy to increase the intermodal rail-road mode share.

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of distance on choosing between combined and unimodal road transport. In doing so, the break-even distances between the two modes are calculated. The calculation relies on a Monte Carlo simulation that takes account of a randomly generated shipper and receiver's locations in two separated market areas, independently of a certain transport corridor. Methodically, the ideas and elements of the transport system analytical modelling found in the literature are used. The results confirm the importance of distance on the mode choice and show there is not only one but in fact many break-even distances between the two modes. They vary considerably depending on different travel plans, and shipper/receiver locations within market areas. Despite the inevitable assumptions made in such general analysis, the results reveal combined transport can provide a good alternative to unimodal road transport even over relatively very short distances if the drayage costs are not too high. We believe the research helps better understand competitiveness in the freight transport sector and may also be useful for policy-and other decision-makers seeking to improve their evaluation of the opportunities and competitiveness of combined transport. Nevertheless that could lead to a more sustainable transport system.