Combined transport in the Alps: Reasons behind a difficult acceptance and possible solutions

Freight transport is essential for the economic development of European countries. At the same time, it is one of the main causes of transport externalities. Combined Transport (CT) can contribute to a sustainable development of freight transport, but it suffers from some obstacles that make it not appealing enough. In this paper, CT in the Alps is first presented, revealing the relevant differences between states. Then, a two-step process identifies those measures which could make Alpine CT more competitive. A Delphi method involving Alpine CT stakeholders provides a comprehensive list of integrative measures: they are divided into three main clusters, namely organisational, infrastructural, and political. The ranking resulting from the adoption of an MCA reveals that seven out of the first ten measures belong to the organisational aspects. This type of measure does not implicate main investments, but rather better coordination among the parties involved in the process. This analysis provides policy-makers with a better understanding of the current limitations and potentialities of CT in the Alps, which is a fundamental prerequisite for the modal shift requested by several EU policies.