Analysis of the technical and operational capacity of a combined semi-trailer rail transport service between the port of Algeciras and Zaragoza.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility to run an Autopista Ferroviaria with Iberian width from a technical and operational point of view in order to analyse the business model in the short term. A.F. (Autopista Ferroviaria) is defined by the Spanish Public Works Department as a combined transport in which semitrailers are transported by train in a shuttle service using specific wagons and terminals conditioning for this service according with the chosen operational typology. According to this definition, Spain, for the moment, still has not a service that could be called A.F. in Iberian width. This study is based on the current Iberian railway line between the Port of Algeciras and Plaza (Logistic Platform of Zaragoza) and its focus is to determine whether from a technical and operational point of view, this rail line provides enough features to be used as A.F. To reach this goal, a European Ten-T corridor, the Atlantic one, and two important connections which are included in the Core Networks: Algeciras and Zaragoza are considered.