A PILOT project in the Netherlands, using an intermodal transport system for container traffic, could be the future's answer to congested roads. The Combi-Road project involves moving freight containers on automatically-controlled, electrically powered vehicles travelling continuously but separately along their own track. The system, which uses tractors with semi-trailers, is ideally suited to containerised and combined goods flows over short to medium distances. The containers travel at approximately 50 km/h and at equal distances from one another, ensuring low noise levels and reducing the environmental impact. The Netherlands project is able to handle five units per minute, with a total of 1,5 million units per annum being predicted.
