Combined transport is regarded as a central building block for sustainable logistics. It combines different modes of transport – such as freight trains, trucks, inland waterway vessels and airplanes – in one transport chain, with the majority of the route being covered by rail or waterway in the most environmentally friendly way possible. The short pre-carriage and onward carriage is carried out by truck. The aim is to reduce CO₂ emissions, relieve the burden on road infrastructure and create economical transport solutions. Combined transport experts analyze transport networks, simulate handling processes and develop concepts to increase efficiency. Particular attention is paid to current challenges such as bottlenecks in the infrastructure and the requirements for reliable, resilient supply chains.

At TU Darmstadt, combined transport, especially combined road/rail freight transport, is an important focus of teaching and research at the Department of Business Management and Logistics. Here, students learn how multimodal transport chains are planned, controlled and optimized. They distinguish between intermodal freight transport, in which the same loading unit is used throughout (e.g. containers), and multimodal freight transport, in which different loading units can be used.

“Combined transport” as a focus at the TU Darmstadt

Teaching and research on “Combined Transport” at TU Darmstadt deals with the following topics, for example

- Terminal management,

- transport law,

- digitalization,

- sustainability and

- infrastructure planning.

Research on combined transport with impact: innovation laboratory and forum

The Department of Corporate Management and Logistics actively promotes dialog on combined transport – in Hesse, Germany and Europe. As part of the “Combined Transport Forum”, which takes place every two years in cooperation with the House of Logistics and Mobility (HOLM) in Frankfurt am Main, representatives from science, business, politics and society discuss ways to strengthen rail and inland waterway freight transport. The aim is to make a measurable contribution to climate change and security of supply through combined transport.

One highlight is the Combined Transport Innovation Lab at HOLM: in this showroom, the latest research findings are presented interactively – for example on reducing CO₂ or increasing capacity and resilience in combined transport. Students from TU Darmstadt are also actively involved, testing new solutions and contributing to the development of intelligent transport solutions.

Combined transport is at the heart of sustainable, future-proof logistics – and the focus of our courses at TU Darmstadt. Anyone interested in climate-friendly logistics, international transport networks and innovative business models will find good study conditions and a wide range of career prospects h