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Delivering the goods Laura Wright
Powering innovation in rail freight Laura Wright, Rail Freight Adviser, Logistics UK provides an overview of 3Squared’s project and explain why such schemes are so vital to grow the use of rail freight
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he Department for Transport (DfT) launched its Transport Research Innovation Grants Programme (TRIG) last year; a scheme designed to support feasibility and proof of concept projects that will foster innovation within the UK transport sector and build links between policy teams in DfT and innovators. With the desire to grow rail freight use in the UK a government goal, 3Squared, a company specialising in consultancy and technology solutions to overcome rail challenges, secured funding through the programme with a scheme designed to maximise current rail freight capacity, unlock additional space, and build greater flexibility and responsiveness into the mode. The challenge Road haulage is often seen as an easier and more accessible transport method to rail freight, especially for those needing to transport a small consignment of goods, or those who need a responsive service at short notice. As increased government emphasis is placed on the need for the logistics industry to decarbonise its operations – and with every tonne of freight transported by rail producing 76 per cent less carbon emissions compared to road – the industry must identify ways to drive uptake in rail use to assist in decarbonisation efforts. 3Squared’s scheme centres on the concept that untapped demand exists amongst companies in the supply chain who have tried, and failed, to move from road onto rail; 3Squared aims to level-up freight by creating a demand-led solution which opens the market to the wider supply chain. The ambition is to make the use of rail for freight as accessible and easy to use as the road
network; an aim supported by Logistics UK, which is helping 3Squared to gather feedback from logistics companies on how it can best achieve this outcome. To maximise the opportunity of rail as a freight transport mode, it is vital that connections to road are considered and incorporated into planning decisions. For example, all rail heads should have strong road links to enable to goods to be transported to the mode via HGV first. To enable modal shift and drive the greatest efficiencies in logistics movements, rail, road, sea and air should all be viewed cohesively, rather than modes in isolation. The project The main objective of 3Squared’s project is to make rail freight a more desirable option. This project specifically tackles the problem of freight train profitability, by helping to fill them completely before they depart ports and rail’s responsiveness to changing customer demands, by improving the process for running additional trains at short notice. 3Squared is carrying out a proof of concept at Rail Professional
