Multimodal Freight Transportation: Sustainability Challenges

Abstract

Due to Globalisation in trade, the development of multimodal cargo shipments and the related transport needs have created a range of challenges. Interestingly, sustainability of multimodal freight transportation is still subject to minor consideration, on the grounds that economic interests are frequently positioned much higher than social or environmental objectives. This proposed Research plan is needed to assess whether and to what extent the multimodal freight system is achieving the results in the sustainability dimensions: economic, social and environmental. Thus, it will carry out a critical appraisal of the multimodal freight transportation sector to provide an up to date knowledge on the sustainability challenges and the potential solutions through doctoral research. This paper structured to present a review of existing literature on freight transportation and multimodal freight transport highlighting the sustainability concerns with multimodal freight transport systems. It also highlights the gaps in knowledge with a justification on the need to address these gaps for the system to function optimally. It also covers the methodology that would be applied and the sources of data that would be reviewed to ensure the aim and objectives are clearly addressed. The paper concludes by discussing the significance of the expected findings in the light of sustainability in multimodal freight transport to the academia, policy makers and the freight transportation industry.

Adapting Multimodal Transportation Infrastructure to Changing Transport and Logistics Routes

“…In the literature, studies of multimodal transportation and the development of multimodal transshipment infrastructure are represented by a wide range of fundamental and applied works. For example, theoretical issues of organizing multimodal transportation and developing the corresponding infrastructure were considered in the works of Dua and Sinha [1], Baykasotglu [2], Udo et al [3].…”

Innovations in freight transport: a systematic literature evaluation and COVID implications

“…Compared with road and rail transport, frequently associated with negative externalities (accidents, congestion and pollution), inland waterways are a more sustainable and economic alternative for freight transport (Lu and Yan, 2015). In summary, while all modes of freight transport have their comparative advantages, they impose specific economic and environmental challenges, which need a re-thinking of specific innovations to combat these specific problems (Lu and Yan, 2015; Udo et al. , 2019).…”