Comparative analysis of the combined transport usages and standards (CACTUS) - Executive Summary

In 2018, ERA decided to launch a taskforce on the facilitation of combined transport to analyse the integration of rail freight transport with other transport modes, focusing on the rail-road interface, and to propose improvements.

The ERA taskforce conducted a basic preliminary analysis of the relevant UIC leaflets and IRSs, EN standards and ISO standards used in combined transport to identify potential overlaps/duplications, contradictions or areas for improvement.

Also in 2018, UIC and UIRR launched the CACTUS project, involving experts from rail and combined transport operators, which aimed to develop sectoral recommendations to eliminate the contradictions, overlaps and gaps identified through the in-depth analysis and evaluation of all relevant reference documents published by policy authorities, standardisation bodies or industry best practice.

The CACTUS initiative was presented by both associations to RASCOP1 which, at its plenary session in October 2018, decided to consider the results of the CACTUS project as one of its standardisation priorities. The recommendations from this study should also support the activities of the ERA Topical Working Group (TWG) on Facilitation of Combined Transport.