The purpose of the international scan was to investigate the issues, constraints, opportunities, and challenges faced by the European Union (EU) in developing a policy of open boundaries and what strategies it uses to implement the policy. The panel met with government representatives, terminal operators, logistics providers, and shippers to gain a broad understanding of how the EU has attempted to develop a common market, and how the private sector has responded. The group met with various industry and government representatives from the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and with representatives of the European Commission in Brussels.

This policy research project was funded by and conducted for the Texas Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration. The research was performed during the 1997-98 academic year by 18 graduate students and a faculty project director at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin. Its purpose was to examine "best practices" in governmental multimodal/intermodal transport policies, plans, and programs. This task was accomplished by investigating supranational, national, state, and local government multimodal/intermodal activities in North America, Western Europe, and Latin America.

This book provides an introduction to the whole concept of intermodal freight transport, the means of delivering goods using two or more transport modes, recounting both European experience and UK developments and reporting on the extensive political influences on this form of transport. This is placed into context with reference to developments in North America and Asia. Detailed explanations are given of the road and rail vehicles, the loading units and the transfer equipment used in such operations. In particular, the role of the Channel Tunnel in the development of long-haul combined transport operations between the UK and Europe is considered.

This book presents a specific technical solution, called intermodal transport, which became the basic technological solution that made it possible to provide global interregional transport. Every day, new technical, technological, and organizational solutions appear that significantly affect the further development of this industry. However, there are certain local differences between regions. In addition, an essential factor is the exchange of experience between scientists from different countries. Accordingly, the purpose of this monothematic book is to acquaint readers with the achievements of scientists dealing with this topic and living in different regions. Scientists and specialists from Poland, Germany, Great Britain, USA, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Italy, Kazakhstan, and Lithuania participated in the writing of individual chapters of this book. This book is intended for professionals, teachers, students, and others who are interested in new approaches to solving transport problems.