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Neue Marktstrategie der europäischen Eisenbahnen : Direktgüterzüge als logistisches Angebot für europäische Wirtschaftszentren

1995; Saxon State and University Library, Dresden; Volume: 47; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

0020-9511

Mark-Ken Erdmann,

Corporate Governance and Management

The aim of the European rail networks is to increase their involvement in the growing international transport market. The International Rail Association (UIC) in Paris therefore set up, amongst other things, the strategy project PRODIT (Project Direct Trains) for 1994. It had the task of conceiving proposals for improving European transport in individual cars. Alongside complete trains for goods on a large scale and combined traffic between terminals, these represent an important and environmentally friendly rail service for customers who have loading access to the railway. PRODIT has worked on direct access options, in line with market conditions, for transport in individual cars between European commercial centres and then subsequently supported their implementation. The interrelationships between 110 European business centres were examined, their respective entry areas estabilished and a total of 26 direct connections with trains travelling five times per week were suggested for long distances across Europe, with no switches en route. The Company for Applied Information Technology (GAI) in Berlin demonstrated significant potential for rationalisation of existing transport in a computeraided transport planning program and numerous suggestions were made for improving and optimising the quality of the service. As a result of significant increases in transport speed, Eurail-cargo quality can be achieved and guaranteed for numerous connections. It was recommended that special product managers be appointed, who would be responsible for ensuring quality of service and promoting sales. PRODIT has also determined the individual car related market potential for each relationship and has thus facilitated forecasting the market potential and the entrepreneurial risk involved with implementation. With a range of additional measures such as, for example, special price offers for direct trains, simplified freight distribution and common marketing in business units, the railways can significantly increase their chances in the competitive European market.