Combined road/rail freight transport (CT) has the potential to be an environmentally friendly alternative to road freight transport. It combines the advantages of both modes of transport and shifts delivery traffic from road to rail. Unfortunately, CT still poses some challenges today: With many individual players involved in the transport chain, communication and even order processing are not always easy. In the end, availability and timing have to fit perfectly.

A look at current entrepreneurial practice shows that a variety of electronic platforms are emerging to strengthen communication and networking between the individual players in CT. Together with Anne Friedrich and our associated project partners catkin, Rail-flow, Kombiverkehr and Infront Consulting, we are launching a new research project that aims to make CT more attractive. In our project “ConnectedKV”, we are analyzing how such digital, multi-sided transport platforms can be used efficiently in CT, what effects platform use in CT has on established business models, and whether new business models can perhaps even be developed by using the platforms. The project is funded by the state of Hesse and HOLM funding as part of the “Innovations in Logistics and Mobility” measure of the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport and Housing.

Learn more here about how we can facilitate access to combined transport for entrepreneurs.