EVALUATION OF BUSINESS MODELS IN RAIL FREIGHT TRANSPORT UNDER CONSIDERATION OF MULTIMODAL ASPECTS

Within the field of cargo transport and mono- and multimodal transport in general and in particular the rail processes have so far contributed rather insignificantly to the reduction of road traffic volume. This is the result of limited capacities concerning terminals, the necessity of special reloading devices entailing high investment costs and time losses handling the cargo, as well as wide-spread scepticism regarding adherence to delivery dates, traceability of consignments and flexibility of intermodal transport. In short, to solve these problems innovative and market-oriented solutions are needed. One possible approach is using the business model as an analysis-tool. There is the need of systematic and scientific exploration which potentials and advantages innovative business model solutions provide. Compared to monomodal chains on the road the mono- and multimodal processes in rail freight transport are much more complex and risky. Therefore it is a difficult challenge for organizations to design and implement the complex construct of business model correctly and thus successfully. The research project is based on the assumption, that successful business model innovations in sustainable transport provide positive effects on the modal split and contribute significantly to the sustainable optimization of the overall traffic system.