Welcome to the Chair of Management and Logistics

We research how data-driven management can help make multimodal transport systems more efficient, sustainable and fit for the future – from strategic planning to day-to-day operations, in Hesse, Germany and around the world.

Our research focuses on how we can use data to systematically combine the strengths of different modes of transport, transhipment technologies, digital platforms and business models. To this end, we combine interviews, surveys, simulation and optimisation to increase productivity and make better use of existing network capacity.

At the same time, we always keep the societal perspective in mind: security of supply, climate protection, reducing avoidable freight transport and shifting freight transport to environmentally friendly modes.

Students and prospective students

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Researchers and those interested in our research

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News

May 08, 2026

Did you know that in freight transport, knowing that a train will be delayed can be almost as valuable as having it arrive on time?

April 28, 2026

Did you know that Germany’s rail freight modal share is around 20% while Australia’s exceeds 60%?

April 20, 2026

Did you know that we cannot see where loading units actually moves and how that affects infrastructure?

Hafenterminal mit einem Containerschiff im Vordergrund
Picture: Hapag-Lloyd

Research close to practice

How does the introduction of a city toll affect urban freight transport? How can the service network design of an intermodal operator be optimized or route planning be made more efficient for a freight forwarder?

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Everything at a Glance: Data-Driven Transportation Planning Using Remote Sensing

Unforeseen events such as infrastructure failures or extreme weather conditions can cause significant delays in transport chains and exacerbate the already high complexity of transport planning. At the same time, insufficient data availability and a lack of comprehensive monitoring capabilities for transport networks pose additional challenges for transport logistics. This is where the RemoteSensing4Intermodal project comes in, by investigating the potential of remote sensing data—particularly satellite imagery—for transport planning and the monitoring of transport networks.

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Load cooperation in combined transport? This is how it works.

The main CT leg is currently handled mainly by shuttle trains operated by individual CT operators, which run between two terminals with fixed wagon sets – without intermediate stops for handling goods. Increased cooperation between CT operators offers the opportunity to address these challenges. If several companies involved, such as shippers, freight forwarders, CT operators, rail transport companies (RUs) and terminal operators work together, they can use their transport resources more efficiently.

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Making intermodal freight transport resilient – but how?

Unpredictable events such as accidents and storms, which occur more frequently due to climate change, cause considerable economic damage in continental transport chains. Intermodal transport chains such as Combined Rroad/Rail Freight Transport (CT) are particularly sensitive to such disruptions due to their complexity. How can shippers, carriers and freight forwarders plan their transports as resiliently as possible?

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Possibilities of collecting capacity utilization data in rail transport and initial piloting

Precise knowledge of usage data in rail transport, both in freight and passenger transport, is crucial for the efficient management and improvement of rail transport in Germany. Efficiency and control should be improved. Particularly in rail freight transport, by gaining valuable insights into capacity utilisation and operational flexibility. This research focuses on the identification and analysis of freight wagon utilisation indicators and the techniques used to measure them.

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The Future of Freight Transport in Germany: Combined Transport Forum

Expert meeting with representatives from German and European industry on March 28, 2025

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Freight Transport on the International stage: World Conference on Transport Research

We facilitate international exchange among researchers in the "Freight Transport Operations and Intermodality" field through the Special Interest Group B3 of the World Conference on Transport Research Society (WCTRS).

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Reading on corporate management and logistics

You can find our publications on ResearchGate. (Please note that in order to have full access, you must create your own account.)

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Freight transport international: Transportation Research Board

We are collaborating with the Intermodal Freight Transport Committee of the North American Transportation Research Board (TRB) to improve the transfer of knowledge between research and practice at an international level.

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