Checklist for Combined Transport
On this page you will find a checklist of key questions arranged by subject and criteria for deciding whether shipments are suitable for Combined Transport. It also serves as an aid to planning such shipments.
Questions on the existing range of Combined Transport services
- Does the nearest terminal to the loading point have a suitable range of services for road-rail Combined Transport?
- Does the start terminal have suitable direct train connections and/or gateway services to handle the shipping order?
- Are the journey times, time slots and frequency of services suitable for carrying out the shipment?
Questions on resource planning for intermodal loading units
- Do you have intermodal loading units, i.e. cranable semi-trailers, swap bodies or containers?
- Are these technically approved and available for the planned shipment?
- Might it be necessary to use special equipment, for example jumbo swap trailers or megatrailers?
- Can the scheduled loading units be used on the whole route with regard to the maximum permitted profile?
- If the intended equipment cannot be used, is it possible to obtain alternative loading units tailored to requirements?
- Is the hire or leasing of loading units possible/required?
- Can the hirer guarantee the requisite availability/flexibility for the use of the loading units?
Questions on shipment flows
- Do the shipment flows include return loads or not?
- Are shipment flows regular, sporadic or seasonal?
- If there are no return loads, might it be possible to arrange “triangular shipments” incorporating Combined Transport?
Questions on arranging the first and final legs
- Is your company able to organise and handle every aspect of Combined Transport shipments on a sustained basis?
- Do you take care of the initial and final legs on the dispatch and reception side yourself or is assistance required from partner companies?
- Do you use trucks from your vehicle pool with your own personnel or do you make use of trucking companies?
- Does the quality of service from third-party firms live up to its promise?
- Is the price/performance ratio adequate for shipments to be handled by trucking companies over the long term?
Other questions
- Can CT be used to “bypass” restrictions on road traffic with regard to driving bans, hazardous goods regulations, truck weights and working time regulations?
- Does the use of Combined Transport enhance the image of your organisation?
