Economical and ecological effects of adopting an European Modular System (EMS) for the carriage of ISO-containers in the intermodal transport chain in Germany

The growth of the road freight transport in Germany is an expanding problem. Transport and logistics companies (TLCs) are forced to cut their costs, while the European Commission requires the reduction of carbon footprints. At the same time, the infrastructure tends to collapse within the next few years. Therefore, Germany has the collective responsiveness to challenge rules of actions that constrain the adoption of feasible solutions. The transport and logistics sector may find a solution in the European Modular System (EMS). These vehicle combinations are defined by the European Union and are up to 25.25 meters long and have a maximum weight of 60 tones. While EMS is certified in Sweden, Finland and recently in the Netherlands, the German Federal Government could not strike an agreement until now. Only field trials provided opportunities for the companies to cumulate experienced data. The purpose of this research is to investigate the opportunities and risks by using the European Modular System for the transportation of ISO-containers. The research arrives to the conclusion that the pre-conditions for larger and heavier vehicles are given, since the vehicles are technically matured and a demand for LHVs in conjunction with container handling is assured. Beside general drivers, such as the increase of the road freight market and the willing to participate in the field trials, benefits and barriers mainly influence the TLCs. The research results in obvious reductions of the fuel consumption and CO2-emissions of EMS and presents additional actions for further benefits. Moreover, efficiency and flexibility can be increased, while costs are decreased by up to 33 per cent. TLCs cannot record appreciable barriers for the EMS, whether in risks for traffic participants, nor for the infrastructure. The thesis eventually show that these vehicle combinations can be adopted in shortterm within several weeks, but tend to discharge the applied loads for the road freight transport market in the near future, while transport and logistics companies can reduce their costs and emissionsPlymouth Business Schoo