intro:
Intermodality, an integrated approach between transport systems such as rail and air services, is high on the political agenda in Europe and increasingly so in other parts of the world. It is perceived as a solution to the many transport problems which beset modern societies (e.g. rising levels of accidents, emissions and noise from road travel to and from the airport) and plays an important role by enabling better mobility, using more efficiently the existing infrastructure and reducing congestion and environmental impacts. Improved access to airports through rail also solves other problems related to congested roads and emissions from cars.
The sustained growth in demand for air travel has led airlines to give increasing attention to how they can maximise the effectiveness of their networks by improving linkages with other transport modes. For passengers, intermodality is best defined as combining different modes of transport in a seamless travel experience. It can involve a combination of:
Partial or full substitution for air travel can be successful on short or medium-haul journeys of up to three hours' duration provided by a high speed train (e.g. between Brussels and Paris). In such a case, the train link can also be used to complement air travel where it can be used for the return journey or even at the beginning or end of an intercontinental flight, thus requiring that rail and air schedules, tariffs and other transport facilities be carefully coordinated.
So far, there are very few examples of intermodal cooperation, and in many cases the infrastructure that would enable intermodal travel is insufficient. Most examples of intermodality operate on a bilateral basis (e.g. a combined journey involving a railway and an airline). However, the next step requires an "integrated approach" with a common information and distribution system across the airline and railway system. This will allow passengers to benefit fully from the "seamless" travel experience. To achieve such integration, airports and rail infrastructure providers will need to facilitate interlinkages between rail and air and apply best practices such as common handling of baggages and information.
ATAG is very active in promoting air/rail passenger intermodality in all regions where it is feasible. In Europe, for instance, ATAG has contributed to an in-depth study on the identification of obstacles and the development of solutions to promote air/rail passenger intermodality in the European Union.
In July 2002, ATAG organised a workshop entitled Intermodality - vision and reality.