Issues and Initiatives Surrounding Rail Freight Transportation in Europe

The article of record may be found at https://www.jstor.org/stable/20713490This article reviews the current issues and initiatives related to rail freight transportation in Europe. Since the liberalization of transportation in the European Union (EU), rail freight transportation systems have not been as successfully integrated as passenger rail networks, or air line, motor carriage, or inland waterway systems. As a result, EU policy and directives are attempting to promote and develop increased use of rail freight and intermodal services to over come the environmental and congestion problems caused by the disproportionate use of motor carriage in the EU. The over-reliance on trucking has become even more critical as the EU expands towards Eastern Europe. Key initiatives such as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN), Pan-European Corridors (PAN), Transport Infrastructure Needs Assessment (TINA), and Pilot Actions for Combined Transport (PACT) are discussed. Finally, suggestions are offered that would enable EU rail freight carriers to provide more competitive services on a Pan-European scale