Author(s)

A. Nordio, R. Torrese, G. Porta & M. G. Vignolo

Abstract

With the help of a case study, the present research tries to show that a certain new freight intermodal system can be a good solution only if it is accepted by transport operators. Therefore the system has to be sustainable from the point of view of time and cost. The first step of the research intends to identify the Tuscan Industrial Zones (Italy) characterized by an important air cargo export, to define the destination airports, to give a graphic description about ways that they are linked and to determinate current travel times and operating costs. It also introduces a project suggestion concerning a new intermodal system called \“Metrocargo” which realizes a rapid road-railway modal exchange, evaluating travel times and operating costs relating to the regional railway lines that link the demand origin and the destination points. The second step intends to quantify the time monetary value both in the event of trucked air cargo and in the event of rail transport, so as to define the total costs. Keywords: trucked air cargo, rail transport, freight transport, travel time value, operating costs, total costs, intermodal system, trade-off coefficient. 1 The Tuscan trucked air cargo export: industrial zones and air export, handler agents and destination airports In accordance with the Italian law no. 317/1991, the Tuscan local authority has recently defined an industrial zones map of the region. Twelve industrial

Keywords

trucked air cargo, rail transport, freight transport, travel time value,operating costs, total costs, intermodal system, trade-off coefficient.