An analysis of rail freight operational efficiency and mode share in the British port-hinterland container market

Woodburn, A.G. 2017. An analysis of rail freight operational efficiency and mode share in the British port-hinterland container market. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. 51, pp. 190-202 TRD_2016_467_R1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.01.002

TitleAn analysis of rail freight operational efficiency and mode share in the British port-hinterland container market
TypeJournal article
AuthorsWoodburn, A.G.
Abstract

The growth in container shipping poses considerable challenges to efforts to reduce the negative externalities associated with freight transport. There are particular concerns about the impacts of the associated port-hinterland freight flows. Through empirical research, this paper examines trends in the operational efficiency of the British port-hinterland container rail freight market and to assess the impacts of any changes on the overall sustainability of this market. Original survey work conducted in 2007 and 2015 has allowed longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of the characteristics of this market.

The survey findings reveal that rail’s mode share of port container throughput (in TEU) has increased from 14.7 per cent in 2007 to 16.6 per cent in 2015 and it is likely that its share of the associated hinterland activity has also risen. Rail was carrying 25 per cent more TEU by 2015 without an increase in train service provision. Increases in mean train capacity and mean load factor were observed, leading to growth in the mean train load from 44 TEU in 2007 to 55 TEU in 2015. This considerable improvement in operational efficiency is expected to have reduced the negative externalities per unit of transport activity associated with the rail-borne hinterland container flows, though scope is identified for further improvements in sustainability.

KeywordsPort-hinterland; rail freight; container flows; transport efficiency; United Kingdom
Article numberTRD_2016_467_R1
JournalTransportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
Journal citation51, pp. 190-202
ISSN1361-9209
Year2017
PublisherElsevier
Accepted author manuscript
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.01.002
Publication dates
Published online21 Jan 2017
Published21 Jan 2017
Published in printMar 2017
LicenseCC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Related outputs

Construction Logistics - Summary slideset
Allen, J., Piecyk, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2021. Construction Logistics - Summary slideset. Centre for Sustainable Road Freight.

Online Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries: Briefing Report
Piecyk, M., Allen, J., Woodburn, A.G. and Cao, M. 2021. Online Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries: Briefing Report. Centre for Sustainable Road Freight.

Online Ready-To-Eat Meal Orders and Last-Mile Deliveries
Allen, J., Piecyk, M., Cao, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2021. Online Ready-To-Eat Meal Orders and Last-Mile Deliveries . Centre for Sustainable Road Freight.

Online Non-Food Parcel Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries
Allen, J., Piecyk, M., Cao, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2021. Online Non-Food Parcel Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries. Centre for Sustainable Road Freight.

Online Grocery Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries
Allen, J., Piecyk, M., Cao, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2021. Online Grocery Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries. Centre for Sustainable Road Freight.

Online Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries - Summary Report
Allen, J., Piecyk, M., Cao, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2021. Online Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries - Summary Report. Centre for Sustainable Road Freight.

Online Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries - Full Report
Allen, J., Piecyk, M., Cao, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2021. Online Shopping and Last-Mile Deliveries - Full Report. Centre for Sustainable Road Freight.

Rail Freight
Woodburn, A.G. 2021. Rail Freight. in: International Encyclopedia of Transportation, Vol. 3 Elsevier. pp. 413-422

Rail network resilience and operational responsiveness during unplanned disruption: A rail freight case study
Woodburn, A.G. 2019. Rail network resilience and operational responsiveness during unplanned disruption: A rail freight case study. Journal of Transport Geography. 77, pp. 59-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.04.006

Rail operations
Woodburn, A.G. 2017. Rail operations. in: Monios, J. and Bergqvist, C. (ed.) Intermodal Freight Transport and Logistics Boca Raton, FL CRC Press, Taylor & Francis.

The impacts on freight train operational performance of new rail infrastructure to segregate passenger and freight traffic
Woodburn, A.G. 2017. The impacts on freight train operational performance of new rail infrastructure to segregate passenger and freight traffic. Journal of Transport Geography. 58, pp. 176-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.12.006

Rail freight
Woodburn, A.G. 2017. Rail freight. in: Cowie, J. and Ison, S. (ed.) The Routledge Handbook of Transport Economics London Routledge. pp. 368-383

ICT for rail freight management
Woodburn, A.G. 2016. ICT for rail freight management. in: Wang, Y. and Pettit, S. (ed.) E-Logistics: Managing Your Digital Supply Chains for Competitive Advantage London Kogan Page. pp. 85-107

Potential role of railway stations as urban freight hubs
Browne, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Allen, J. 2015. Potential role of railway stations as urban freight hubs. Logistics Research Network Conference. University of Derby, Derby, UK 09 - 11 Sep 2015

An empirical study of the variability in the composition of British freight trains
Woodburn, A.G. 2015. An empirical study of the variability in the composition of British freight trains. Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management. 5 (4), pp. 294-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrtpm.2015.12.001

Urban railway hub freight expansion feasability study: final report to Cross River Partnership
Woodburn, A.G., Browne, M. and Allen, J. 2015. Urban railway hub freight expansion feasability study: final report to Cross River Partnership. London University of Westminster.

Development of greener vehicles, aircraft and ships
McKinnon, A., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2015. Development of greener vehicles, aircraft and ships. in: McKinnon, A., Browne, M., Whiting, A. and Piecyk, M. (ed.) Green logistics: improving the environmental sustainability of logistics (3rd edition) London Kogan Page. pp. 165-193

Potential for non-road modes to support environmentally friendly urban logistics
Browne, M., Allen, J., Woodburn, A.G. and Piotrowska, M. 2014. Potential for non-road modes to support environmentally friendly urban logistics. 1st International Conference Green cities: Green Logistics for Greener Cities. Szczecin, Poland 19 - 21 May 2014 Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.10.005

International Road and Rail Freight Transport
Woodburn, A.G., Allen, J., van Essen, H., Leonardi, J. and Browne, M. 2014. International Road and Rail Freight Transport. in: Waters, D. and Rinsler, S. (ed.) Global logistics: new directions in supply chain management (7th ed.) London Kogan Page. pp. 373-393

A review of urban consolidation centres in the supply chain based on a case study approach
Allen, J., Browne, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Leonardi, J. 2014. A review of urban consolidation centres in the supply chain based on a case study approach. Supply Chain Forum. 15 (4), pp. 100-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2014.11517361

Developments in Western European logistics strategies
Browne, M., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2014. Developments in Western European logistics strategies. in: Waters, D. and Rinsler, S. (ed.) Global logistics: new directions in supply chain management London Kogan Page. pp. 395-418

London freight data report 2014
Browne, M., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2014. London freight data report 2014. Transport for London.

Effects of rail network enhancement on port hinterland container activity: a United Kingdom case study
Woodburn, A.G. 2013. Effects of rail network enhancement on port hinterland container activity: a United Kingdom case study. Journal of Transport Geography. 33, pp. 162-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.10.010

High Speed 2: identifying opportunities for freight at Euston and Old Oak Common
Browne, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Allen, J. 2013. High Speed 2: identifying opportunities for freight at Euston and Old Oak Common. London University of Westminster.

A review of rail freight initiatives in the urban supply chain
Browne, M., Woodburn, A.G., Piotrowska, M. and Allen, J. 2013. A review of rail freight initiatives in the urban supply chain. RGS-IBG Annual Conference 2013. London 30 Aug 2013

The potential for rail to make a significant contribution to urban freight operations
Browne, M., Allen, J., Woodburn, A.G. and Piotrowska, M. 2013. The potential for rail to make a significant contribution to urban freight operations. Logistics Research Network Conference. University of Aston 4-6 September

London freight data report 2013
Browne, M., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2013. London freight data report 2013. Transport for London.

Data collection for understanding urban goods movement: comparison of collection methods and approaches in European countries
Allen, J., Ambrosini, C., Browne, M., Patier-Marque, D., Routhier, J.L. and Woodburn, A.G. 2013. Data collection for understanding urban goods movement: comparison of collection methods and approaches in European countries. in: Gonzalez-Feliu, J., Semet, F. and Routhier, J.L. (ed.) Sustainable urban logistics: concepts, methods and information systems Heidelberg Springer. pp. 71-89

Intermodal rail freight activity in Britain: where has the growth come from?
Woodburn, A.G. 2012. Intermodal rail freight activity in Britain: where has the growth come from? Research in Transportation Business & Management: Airport Management. 5, pp. 16-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2012.09.001

The Role of Urban Consolidation Centres in Sustainable Freight Transport
Allen, J., Browne, M., Jacques Leonardi and Woodburn, A.G. 2012. The Role of Urban Consolidation Centres in Sustainable Freight Transport. in: Evangelista, P., McKinnon, A., Sweeney, E. and Esposito, E. (ed.) Supply chain innovation for competing in highly dynamic markets: challenges and solutions Hershey, PA IGI Global. pp. 199-214

Development of greener vehicles, aircraft and ships
McKinnon, A., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2012. Development of greener vehicles, aircraft and ships. in: McKinnon, A., Browne, M. and Whiteing, A. (ed.) Green logistics: improving the environmental sustainability of logistics (2nd edition) London Kogan Page. pp. 145-171

The role of urban consolidation centres in sustainable freight transport
Allen, J., Browne, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Leonardi, J. 2012. The role of urban consolidation centres in sustainable freight transport. Transport Reviews. 32 (4), pp. 473-490. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2012.688074

London freight data report 2012
Allen, J., Browne, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2012. London freight data report 2012. Transport for London.

An investigation of container train service provision and load factors in Great Britain
Woodburn, A.G. 2011. An investigation of container train service provision and load factors in Great Britain. European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research. 11 (3), pp. 147-165.

London freight data report 2010
Allen, J., Browne, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2011. London freight data report 2010. London Transport for London Freight & Fleet.

Transferring freight to 'greener' transport roads
Woodburn, A.G. and Whiteing, A. 2010. Transferring freight to 'greener' transport roads. in: McKinnon, A., Cullinane, S., Browne, M. and Whiteing, A. (ed.) Green logistics: improving the environmental sustainability of logistics London Kogan Page. pp. 124-139

International road and rail freight transport: the impact of globalisation on activity levels
Woodburn, A.G., Allen, J., Browne, M., Leonardi, J. and Essen, H. v. 2010. International road and rail freight transport: the impact of globalisation on activity levels. in: Globalisation, transport and the environment Paris OECD Publishing. pp. 121-158

Development of greener vehicles, aircraft and ships
McKinnon, A., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2010. Development of greener vehicles, aircraft and ships. in: McKinnon, A., Cullinane, S., Browne, M. and Whiteing, A. (ed.) Green logistics: improving the environmental sustainability of logistics London Kogan Page.

Impact de la mondialisation sur le niveau d'activité du transport international de marchandises par route et par chemin de fer
Leonardi, J., van Essen, H., Allen, J., Browne, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2010. Impact de la mondialisation sur le niveau d'activité du transport international de marchandises par route et par chemin de fer. in: Waters, D. (ed.) Global logistics: new directions in supply chain management. 6th edition London Kogan Page. pp. 390-408

Developments in Western European logistics
Browne, M., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2010. Developments in Western European logistics. in: Waters, D. (ed.) Global logistics: new directions in supply chain management. 6th edition London Kogan Page. pp. 420-442

An investigation of freight quality partnerships in the UK
Browne, M., Allen, J., Piotrowska, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2010. An investigation of freight quality partnerships in the UK. 15th Annual Conference of the Logistics Research Network. Harrogate 08 - 10 Sep 2010

Integrated transport policy in freight transport
Allen, J., Browne, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2010. Integrated transport policy in freight transport. in: Givoni, M. and Banister, D. (ed.) Integrated transport: from policy to practice Abingdon, Oxon Routledge. pp. 75-96

Freight Quality Partnerships in the UK: an analysis of their work and achievements
Allen, J., Browne, M., Piotrowska, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2010. Freight Quality Partnerships in the UK: an analysis of their work and achievements. Green Logistics Report, University of Westminster.

London freight data report 2009
Allen, J., Browne, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2010. London freight data report 2009. London Transport for London Freight & Fleet.

Intermodal rail freight in Britain: a terminal problem?
Woodburn, A.G. 2008. Intermodal rail freight in Britain: a terminal problem? Planning Practice and Research. 23 (3), pp. 441-460. https://doi.org/10.1080/02697450802423708

The challenge of high cube ISO containers for British rail freight operations
Woodburn, A.G. 2008. The challenge of high cube ISO containers for British rail freight operations. Logistics Research Network Annual Conference 2008: Supply Chain Innovations: people, practice and performance. University of Liverpool, UK 10 - 12 Sep 2008

Container train operations between ports and their hinterlands: a UK case study
Woodburn, A.G. 2008. Container train operations between ports and their hinterlands: a UK case study. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Conference: Hinterland Connections of Seaports. Piraeus, Greece 17 - 18 Sep 2008

An investigation of container train service provision and load factors in Great Britain
Woodburn, A.G. 2008. An investigation of container train service provision and load factors in Great Britain. 40th Annual UTSG Conference. 03 - 05 Jan 2008 Southampton

The impacts of globalisation on international road and rail freight transport activity: past trends and future perspectives
Woodburn, A.G., Allen, J., Browne, M. and Leonardi, J. 2008. The impacts of globalisation on international road and rail freight transport activity: past trends and future perspectives. OECD/ITF Global Forum on Sustainable Development: Transport and Environment in a Globalising World. Guadalajara, Mexico 10 - 12 Nov 2008

The potential use of urban consolidation centres in the hotel industry in London
Browne, M., Piotrowska, M., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2008. The potential use of urban consolidation centres in the hotel industry in London. in: Taniguchi, E. and Thompson, R.G. (ed.) Innovations in city logistics New York Nova Science Publishers. pp. 83-96

London freight data report
Allen, J., Browne, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Piotrowska, M. 2008. London freight data report. London Transport for London.

The role for rail in port-based container freight flows in Britain
Woodburn, A.G. 2007. The role for rail in port-based container freight flows in Britain. Maritime Policy and Management. 34 (4), pp. 311-330. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088830701539032

Evaluation of rail freight facilities grant funding in Britain
Woodburn, A.G. 2007. Evaluation of rail freight facilities grant funding in Britain. Transport Reviews. 27 (3), pp. 311-326. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441640600990418

Evaluating the potential for urban consolidation centres
Browne, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Allen, J. 2007. Evaluating the potential for urban consolidation centres. European Transport / Trasporti Europei. 35, pp. 46-63.

Literature Review WM7: Scope for modal shift through fiscal, regulatory and organisational change, carried as as part of Work Module 1, Green Logistics Project
Woodburn, A.G., Browne, M., Piotrowska, M. and Allen, J. 2007. Literature Review WM7: Scope for modal shift through fiscal, regulatory and organisational change, carried as as part of Work Module 1, Green Logistics Project. Green Logistics.

Comparison of urban freight data collection in European countries
Woodburn, A.G., Allen, J., Patier-Marque, D., Routhier, J.L. and Ambrosini, C. 2007. Comparison of urban freight data collection in European countries. 11th World Conference on Transportation Research. Berkeley, USA 24 - 29 Jun 2007

Wagonload rail freight: is there a future?
Woodburn, A.G. 2007. Wagonload rail freight: is there a future? 39th Annual Conference of the Universities Transport Study Group. Harrogate 03 - 05 Jan 2007

Logistics and freight transport: responding to the new energy challenge
Woodburn, A.G. 2007. Logistics and freight transport: responding to the new energy challenge. Intelligent Transport Conference. Oxford 06 Mar 2007

Literature Review WM9: Part I - urban freight transport, carried out as part of Work Module 1, Green Logistics Project
Browne, M., Piotrowska, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Allen, J. 2007. Literature Review WM9: Part I - urban freight transport, carried out as part of Work Module 1, Green Logistics Project. Green Logistics Report, University of Westminster.

The potential use of urban consolidation centres in the hotel industry in London
Browne, M., Piotrowska, M., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2007. The potential use of urban consolidation centres in the hotel industry in London. 5th International Conference on City Logistics. Crete, Greece 11 - 13 Jul 2007

Literature Review WM9: Part II - light goods vehicles in urban areas, carried as as part Work Module 1, Green Logistics Project
Browne, M., Allen, J., Woodburn, A.G. and Piotrowska, M. 2007. Literature Review WM9: Part II - light goods vehicles in urban areas, carried as as part Work Module 1, Green Logistics Project. Green Logistics Report, University of Westminster.

The role of urban consolidation centres for different business sectors
Browne, M., Allen, J. and Woodburn, A.G. 2007. The role of urban consolidation centres for different business sectors. 11th World Conference on Transportation Research. Berkeley, USA 24 - 29 Jun 2007

Synthesis report on data collection and proposed tools and techniques
Allen, J., Browne, M., Piotrowska, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2007. Synthesis report on data collection and proposed tools and techniques. Green Logistics Project report.

Appropriate indicators of rail freight activity and market share: a review of UK practice and recommendations for change
Woodburn, A.G. 2007. Appropriate indicators of rail freight activity and market share: a review of UK practice and recommendations for change. Transport Policy. 14 (1), pp. 59-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2006.09.002

The non-bulk market for rail freight in Great Britain
Woodburn, A.G. 2006. The non-bulk market for rail freight in Great Britain. Journal of Transport Geography. 14 (4), pp. 299-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2005.06.002

Developments in Western European logistics strategies
Browne, M. and Woodburn, A.G. 2006. Developments in Western European logistics strategies. in: Waters, D. (ed.) Global logistics: new directions in supply chain management. 5th revised edition London, UK Kogan Page.

Night-time delivery restrictions: a review
Browne, M., Allen, J., Anderson, S. and Woodburn, A.G. 2006. Night-time delivery restrictions: a review. in: Taniguchi, E. (ed.) Recent Advances in City Logistics: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on City Logistics Oxford, UK Elsevier.

Urban freight consolidation centres: final report
Browne, M., Sweet, M., Woodburn, A.G. and Allen, J. 2005. Urban freight consolidation centres: final report. Transport Studies Group, University of Westminster.

Urban freight consolidation centres
Woodburn, A.G., Browne, M., Sweet, M. and Allen, J. 2005. Urban freight consolidation centres. Logistics Research Network Annual Conference. Plymouth, UK 07 - 09 Sep 2005

Rail freight in Scotland: issues and challenges
Woodburn, A.G. 2004. Rail freight in Scotland: issues and challenges. Holyrood Magazine Transport Quarterly. 4.

Meeting the rail freight growth target
Woodburn, A.G. 2004. Meeting the rail freight growth target. UK University of Westminster/Institute of Logistics and Transport.

A logistical perspective on the potential for modal shift of freight from road to rail in Great Britain
Woodburn, A.G. 2003. A logistical perspective on the potential for modal shift of freight from road to rail in Great Britain. International Journal of Transport Management. 1 (4), pp. 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtm.2004.05.001

The changing nature of rail freight in Great Britain: the start of a renaissance?
Woodburn, A.G. 2001. The changing nature of rail freight in Great Britain: the start of a renaissance? Transport Reviews. 21 (1), pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/014416400750059257

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/9z787/an-analysis-of-rail-freight-operational-efficiency-and-mode-share-in-the-british-port-hinterland-container-market


Share this

Usage statistics

336 total views
585 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.