Gauge changeover systems - Market study on the use of automatic gauge changeover systems in freight and passenger traffic

A market study is to determine market interest in rail transport services enhanced by automatic gauge changeover systems, given the requirements of various transport types. To do so, the decisive factors governing the use of these systems in freight, container and passenger rail services are to be identified, in order to determine what potential users are prepared to pay for shorter transport/transit times on routes with a gauge change (e.g. traffic with the Baltic and CIS states, and in/with Spain/Portugal).

 

Information was collected by means of surveys to assess the expected costs/benefits of using automatic gauge changeover systems (synergy), taking into account the significant elements for interoperability and intermodality on pan-European corridors. 

 

The outcome of this process is available in the form of conclusions with a comprehensive presentation of potential synergies. It will serve towards preparing a cost-effectiveness study as part of Task 3 in the “Automatic Gauge Changeover Systems” project. 

 

The market analysis was carried out in cooperation with WU-Wien (Austria) and VNIIZhT (Russian Federation) and the outcome was approved by the UIC/OSJD “Automatic Gauge Changeover Systems” Joint Working Group.

 

The present report was prepared on the basis of the results of Task 2 of 5 in the “Automatic Gauge Changeover Systems” project in cooperation with WU-Wien, VNIIZhT and the UIC/OSJD “Automatic Gauge Changeover Systems” Joint Working Group.