Intermodal Freight Transport in Europe and the United States

Europe and the US face rapid increases in international trade as information technologies expand, economic globalization progresses, and logistics capabilities advance. International trade is essential for domestic economic growth but adds to transport congestion problems, particularly on highways. Congestion can be alleviated by intermodal transport services, which can offer an attractive alternative to highway transport. This report, based on a forum sponsored by the European Commission and the US Department of Transportation, discusses intermodal cargo security, policies to encourage improved intermodal services, financing of intermodal freight expansion, potential for joint EC-US projects, and stimulating increased us of intermodal freight services.