Road & Rail Transport
Given how logistics affect the environment, train is probably going to be preferred over road. The most environmentally beneficial way to carry freight is by rail. However, where there is light, there is also shadow, and for logistics service providers and consignors, delivery accuracy, speed, and cost are equally important. Our summary demonstrates the advantages of rail and road as well as how they might work in tandem.
The political will of European leaders indicates that rail freight will be the favored means of transportation in the future. Thus, it appears that the long-term outcome of the competition between the two land transportation systems—road freight and rail freight—will be determined.
- Energy Consumption
- Pollutant Emission
- Transport Cost
- Transport Volumes
- Plan-ability
- Infrastructure
- Transport security
- Flexibility
- Shipment Volumes
Less-than Truck Load (LTL) – Finding Savings in Your Transportation Patterns
Optimizing your domestic supply chain can be achieved by managing your loads with our LTL solution. West Hill Logistics provides LTL consolidation and co-loading services to lower costs and enhance your distribution network.
We step in to coordinate and provide value at every stage, bringing our knowledge, innovation, and insight to your less-than-truckload shipping difficulties. Among the services are:
- Seamless account management
- Cross-border LTL services
- Spot rates
- Invoice auditing
- Comprehensive reporting
- Online rating
- Expedited service available
- Customized customer portals
Rail services
The rail industry has developed new levels of efficiency, economy and sustainability that can translate directly to your own supply chain. Our relationships with rail operators together with our expertise in rail and intermodal freight movement, means we are able to offer highly effective transportation solutions. All backed up by our supporting services, such as customs clearance, terminal handling, inland distribution and final mile delivery.
Consultancy services
Helping you develop the most efficient, cost effective intermodal transportation network, domestic or cross border
Transport Combination: The Best of Both Worlds
Intermodal transport, which combines the benefits of both modes of transportation, is probably going to be the land freight of the future. The truck travels the first and last kilometers before the train takes over the lengthy journey. In fact, if the delivery location is not connected to the rail system, this is frequently the case nowadays. In these situations, multimodal transportation logistics existed even a century ago, though most likely without the phrase. Much more tons of long-distance freight will likely be moved to rail in the future as a result of the growth of intermodal concepts, which will lessen the strain on the environment and the roads.
It saves time to lift modern, standardized trailers and containers from the train to the truck or the other way around without having to unload the contents. When land transportation begins at a port, road freight can occasionally be skipped for the first few kilometers because many ports have ramps that let trucks and complete trains enter the ship’s hull.
The ratio of required operating power to transport volume is better on rail. Physics plays a big role in this, whether it’s rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag, or mass acceleration. In simpler terms, a freight train uses not even a third of the energy that a truck does per ton kilometer.
In addition, electric drives are already common in rail freight; in Germany, the largest European transport market, nearly 90% of all freight train kilometers are covered electrically, meaning that there are almost no direct emissions and almost none if green electricity is used. Naturally, lower energy consumption translates directly into a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from rail, regardless of the drive technology.
In general, rail freight is more expensive than road freight for a number of reasons, such as a higher wage structure in the rail industry or higher train path prices, which result in higher track usage fees than road tolls. This leads to higher freight rates for rail freight compared to road freight, and rail can sometimes outperform road freight for long transport routes and high transport volumes (see below).
Compared to trucks, trains can move bigger and larger items. This can occasionally also be economically advantageous over vast distances (see above). One freight train can replace more than fifty trucks when taking into account the whole volume of transportation; however, not all trains are the same length, and particularly lengthy trains cannot travel everywhere.
Due to its reliance on timetables, rail traffic offers a certain level of predictability. Any rail traveler, however, is aware that a single delayed train can disrupt the entire schedule. In rail freight, it is the same. Long-term planning is therefore beneficial in principle because of timetables, but in reality, a train may become stalled on the tracks, much like a vehicle in a traffic jam. This is frequently brought on by insufficient infrastructure, which in practically all of Europe falls behind demand.
For the same quantity of cargo, rail freight requires less surface area; however, this benefit is negated if the infrastructure is inadequate or out-of-date: switches malfunction, signals are interrupted, and wagons are still manually coupled in many locations even in the digital age.
The road network as a whole is more advanced and more branched out, typically reaching the consignee’s doorstep, even though many European highways and road bridges are likewise in poor condition. On the other hand, very few big businesses possess their own rail sidings. This implies that door-to-door deliveries are typically only feasible if the vehicle is incorporated into the transportation system.
The likelihood of an accident is around 40 times higher in truck traffic than it is on rail. Similarly, there is a greater chance of suffering a complete loss when driving. Thus, employing rail reduces the consignor’s risk of failure. Additionally, train freight carries a decreased risk of theft. A railway wagon is more challenging to approach and unload than an unsecured parked truck.
Aside from the potential for door-to-door delivery, road freight’s greatest advantage is its adaptability. The truck provides the most flexibility of any mode of transportation, both in terms of place and time. With the exception of driving prohibitions during vacations, holidays, and at night, a truck can also take over a tour at short notice and depart from practically anywhere at any time.
A freight train is not appropriate for impromptu delivery and must always follow the schedule. Because of the schedule and its reliance on the underdeveloped rail network, the train lacks flexibility in both time and space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of road freight?
Road freight transport is time-wise and location-wise the most flexible of all modes of transport. Both short-term and door-to-door deliveries are possible. In addition, road freight transport is cost-effective and can rely on a good road infrastructure.
What are the benefits of rail freight?
The major advantage of rail is its sustainability. Rail freight generates only around one-fifth of the emissions per ton kilometer compared with trucks. It also has greater loading capacities and a low risk of accidents and theft.
What are the downsides of road freight?
Compared to freight trains, road freight has a poorer energy and environmental balance. The loading volumes are relatively small, which makes trucks unsuitable for transporting certain very heavy or large goods.
What are the downsides of rail freight?
Rail freight is not an option for spontaneous delivery requests, as its schedule-based operation makes it very inflexible. Rail infrastructure often does not match transportation demand, and freight rates are higher than for road freight.
What is combined transport of truck and rail?
Combined or intermodal transport means that different modes of transport are involved in a single shipment. In the case of rail and truck, for example, trains may carry out the long-distance transport and the cargo is then reloaded onto trucks for final delivery.
