International
17. 09. 2019
Mobility - A basic human and economic need that affects our quality of life. Factors such as prosperity, growth and technological developments lead to a more mobile society and new mobility opportunities. Environmentally friendly rail transport plays a decisive role here.
Consumerism in our society is increasing and so is freight transport. Forecasts assume a total increase in freight volumes of 30 percent by the year 2030.
However, 75 percent of all freight traffic is to be transported by road. This means that in addition to the approximately 4.2 million trucks already on Europe's roads, around one million more trucks will be added, which will lead to a further increase in CO2 emissions.
The most effective way to reduce freight traffic emissions to the required levels is changing the current modal split. Shifting freight transport to the railways is therefore more important than ever.
Social developments and trends are changing mobility behaviour and thus the demands placed on the mobility system. Offers must become more diverse, more flexible and more individual.
Online trade is booming, warehouses have now moved to the streets, the traffic system is facing a burnout - we know all too well the situation we are experiencing every day on the motorways. Therefore, it is time to prevent burnout with conscious and intelligent mobility systems.
Shifting freight transport on to the railways is an environmental and social necessity. With our efficient logistics solutions, we, the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, not only keep the industrial engine running, but also secure supplies for trade and for the public.
RCG is also a member of the Rail Freight Forward coalition along with 15 European rail freight companies and four other stakeholders, which have set themselves the goal of shifting 30 percent of all freight traffic in Europe to the environmentally friendly railways by 2030.
The competitiveness of the railways in relation to trucks is very limited in some cases. Freight trains throughout Europe have to pay for every kilometre travelled on rail infrastructure. On the motorways, a kilometre-based truck toll is levied only in 16 out of 28 EU Member States.
In addition, the external costs of road transport (e.g. traffic accidents, air pollution and costs caused by climate change) are at the expense of the public, the environment and future generations. In contrast to truck traffic, rail freight traffic causes 15 to 20 times less greenhouse gas emissions per tonne-kilometre, the number of rail accidents is low and modern wagons with whisper brakes significantly reduce noise pollution.
Customer and market requirements are also changing with the growing movement of goods. Customer-oriented logistics solutions are therefore becoming more and more important. This also has an influence on the competitiveness of international rail freight transport and on the choice of transport modes.
Our wagon innovation TransANT supports the efficiency of mobility and thus of our society through weight advantages and flexibility. Both the market and the competition demand technologies that are in step with the times. For this reason, RCG freight wagons will be equipped with our SmartCargo Device by 2020, which features position detection, motion sensors and shock detection. SmartCargo is thus part of RCG's internationalization and digitization strategy. Rail freight transport stands for mobility with a guaranteed future.
By investing in innovation, RCG is defending its market position as the most climate-friendly means of transport compared to aircraft, ships and trucks.
