Project of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region (1.12.2019 – 30.4.2020) Conditions for combined transport in Northern Ostrobothnia the conditions for the resumption of combined transport and the infrastructure investments required for the resumption were examined. Combined transport moves rubber-wheeled traffic to the tracks. In practice, this means large unit transport, where vehicle combinations, trailers and containers are transported by train.
There are two reasons for the implementation of combined transport in the coming years: 1) climate emissions from rail transport are a fraction of the emissions from road transport, and 2) the railway project between Seinäjoki and Ylivieska has ended, and the railway section has been renovated. There are existing combined transport equipment in Finland. The loading/unloading terminals are ready in Oulu and Turku, but a new loading point should be built in the Helsinki metropolitan area, for example in the Kerava terminal area.
According to the study, combined transport is economically viable from the point of view of both the railway operator and the lorries if there were at least 20 wagons or 20 combinations of vehicles on the train on weekdays between Helsinki and Oulu in both directions. For example, if a train were to carry 25 combinations of vehicles every weekday, the climate would thank more than 9,000 CO2 a ton a year. The reduction in climate emissions from combined transport corresponds to the average annual emissions of 3,000 passenger cars.
A critical issue for the resumption of combined transport is the timing and punctuality of rail transport. There are solutions to this. In order to improve the level of service and increase the demand for combined transport, investments must be launched in 1) the double track between Oulu and Ylivieska, 2) the construction of a loading point in the Helsinki metropolitan area and 3) the improvement of the main line on other congested sections.
The project received funding through the Regional Innovations and Experiments funding of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. The study was carried out by Taloustutkimus.
Further information:
Design Director Jussi Rämet jussi.ramet(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi and Project Manager Ari Näpänkangas ari.napankangas(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
