H.J.M. Fernhout
Mogelijkheden binnenvaart voor stedelijke en regionale distributie.
Literature survey,
Report 2003.TL.6684, Transport Engineering and Logistics.
In the past Inland Shipping was, especially in Holland, very important for
the development of cities. Transportation of goods via roads was not
possible or too expensive. Over the years road haulage has become more
important for regional and local distribution. Nowadays traffic is dense,
and roads are full, so rails and waterways are becoming a good
alternative. The restoration of canals creates new opportunities for
Inland Shipping, so it can reclaim its role in regional distribution.
There are several alternatives to reduce the amount of (large) trucks to
and in cities. At a distribution center goods can be hauled to underground
transport tubes, small vessels (like the 'beer boat' in Utrecht), small
trucks or vans. If no alternatives are provided, every limitation of
transport to the cities will have a negative impact on local
shopkeepers.
The different transport methods all have their strengths and weaknesses. A
chain could optimize the transport system; by using only the strengths of
the different transport methods. The main strength of road haulage is its
flexibility and its accessibility. Electric trains are environment
friendly; the power plant defines the amount of toxic exhausts. Inland
Shipping is mostly used and suited for transporting large quantities at
once. In some areas it is however possible to use Inland Shipping
competitively for smaller quantities. Inland Shipping is (or can be)
environment friendly and quiet; it's also safe and less dependant on weather
conditions.
Every infrastructure has bottlenecks. The water infrastructure can have
shallow water, low bridges, sharp turns and lock chambers with too small a
capacity. The existence of a good network of regional haulage centers is
imperative to allow Inland Shipping to relieve the road haulage. Such a
network would create large flows of goods. ICT is important in the
organization of the chain.
With the rise of new markets for Inland Shipping the 'Neokemp' and
'Distrivaart' were born. Neokemps are small, maneuverable ships that were
built to compete with road haulage. Distrivaart is a pilot-project for a
floating warehouse, meant for transporting 'fast moving consumer goods'.
Modular transport combines accessibility with size advantages of large
commodity flows. Convoys are equipped to transport modular unit.
The railways can be an alternative to Inland Shipping for regional
distribution. A future development for Automatic Vehicle Guidance in the
rail transport can be a so called 'container network'. On a container
network 'trains' consisting of one or two carriages travel autonomously to
their destination. This network has combined the advantages of road
haulage with the absence of disadvantages, like driver fee or congestion.
It is however questionable if this plan will be executed in the very near
future.
It's important for Inland Shipping that opportunities are used. Especially
technical developments and innovation are important; Inland Shipping
should take advantage of that. Alternatives for road transport are needed
to improve city-life. This can extend the possibilities of Inland Shipping
for urban and regional distribution. Especially to improve urban
distribution water-side distribution-centers and city-magazines are
required. To give Inland Shipping this opportunity, the water
infrastructure has to be improved.
Reports on Transport Engineering and Logistics (in Dutch)
Modified: 2003.09.23;
logistics@3mE.tudelft.nl
, TU Delft
/ 3mE
/ TT
/ LT.