Underground Freight Transport in The Netherlands in the Next Century

Author: Gordijn H.

Source: Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Volume 90, Number 2, May 1999 , pp. 234-241(8)

Buy & download fulltext article:

The full text article is temporarily unavailable.

We apologise for the inconvenience. Please try again later.

Abstract:

Underground freight transport is investigated in the Netherlands as a systems innovation for freight transport. The objective is to achieve a sustainable and efficient transport system for the next century. Two types of underground freight transport are under investigation.

First is an expansion of the traditional pipeline transport for gases and liquids, with more substances and new organisational concepts: common carrier and multi-core. Pilot-projects have started: a multi-core pipeline project in the Rijnmond and feasibility studies to the extension of the ethylene- and propylene-pipeline systems.

Second are underground logistic systems (ULSs) for industrial goods and goods in urban areas (pallets and rolling stock). A ULS is planned between the flower auction in Aalsmeer, Schiphol airport, and a rail terminal for high-speed trains. In 1999 the investment decision has to be taken. In Utrecht, Leiden, Arnhem/Nijmegen, Zuid-limburg and Tilburg feasibility studies are in operation.

At the end of the year a decision must be made on whether underground freight transport will become a new transport modality with general application in the Netherlands and perhaps beyond.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: The National Spatial Planning Agency, The Interdepartmental Task Force for Underground Transport, PO Box 20904, The Hague, The Netherlands.hugo.gordijn@dgg.minvenw.nl

Publication date: 1999-05-01