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Underground Freight Transport in The Netherlands in the Next Century
Author(s) -
Gordijn Hugo
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1467-9663
pISSN - 0040-747X
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9663.00064
Subject(s) - transport engineering , freight trains , pipeline (software) , investment (military) , train , stock (firearms) , pipeline transport , business , traffic management , transport system , rail freight transport , engineering , geography , mechanical engineering , cartography , environmental engineering , politics , political science , law
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.