Intermodal Freight Bundling Networks
The designing of intermodal freight bundling networks results to change in the entire transport landscape in size, direction, time and freight flows. It results to change of component costs, performance at the node or link level and the emergence of new competition from parallel paths. The use of innovative processes in intermodal freight bundling results to efficient and environmentally-friendly transport of large transport volumes over long distances on the main axes road and railway network. Blecker & Friedrich (2005) says that innovative processes result to complementary and conflicting objectives of the partners in the intermodal chain hence an interdisciplinary and system oriented approach is required. In addition, innovative processes require interface-oriented management of the overall process chain (Blecker & Friedrich, 2005).
Konings, Priemus & Nijkamp (2008) noted that innovative processes result into individualization in chain design and economies of scale in line with bundling and inter-modality. The processes come with new allocations of responsibilities in value adding networks and new logistics products. According to Konings, Priemus & Nijkamp (2008) relevant innovation factors are besides information and communication technologies, especially systems integration for intermodal solutions, product planning for 4PL products, financing and cooperation arrangements.
The use of innovative processes in the design of intermodal freight bundling network ensures that there are smaller flow sizes necessary to load a full length train. In this context, complex bundling is suitable in many cases since the advantage of vehicle scale or higher frequencies will most often override the drawback of supplementary intermediary node costs, detours and local network costs. Blecker & Friedrich (2005) noted that inter-modality plays an important role as innovative configuration domain of operations and transportation efficiency. Because of bundling of flows for various destination terminals at an origin terminal the threshold value per transport relation is lower in intermodal freight bundling.
Research shows that innovative processes contribute to quicker expansion and completion of intermodal shipment know-how and measures (Macharis, Pekin & Jourquin, 2009). This also helps in promoting goods transfer by establishing responsiveness on advances, good observation and intermodal transportation prospects for prospective consumers and players in businesses and other users. Macharis, Pekin & Jourquin (2009) noted the use of innovative processes employed developing the aggressiveness of this mode of transportation by reducing the rate and fee hurdles, which at present hamper its expansion whilst regarding the rule of prolonged movement of goods.
