MDS Transmodal is an independent consultancy. We provide economic and commercial advice in the international transport sector, specialising particularly in freight transport including shipping, ports, road and rail, logistics and distribution. Our clients are drawn from a wide spectrum of public organisations and private companies. More...
Consultancy - Recent Assignments
FREIGHTWISE: outputs and outcomes
The FREIGHTWISE European Union Research and Development project ended recently with a Final Conference in London that presented the final outputs of the project and its potential long-term outcomes.
MDS Transmodal's main role in the project was to produce the FWF Business Guidelines that explain the benefits of, and implementation strategies for, the FWF to strategic decision-makers within commercial organizations that use or provide freight transport services. More...
Network Analysis of Freight Traffic
During 2009, MDS Transmodal undertook two major projects for the Department for Transport (DfT). As part of the Freight Modal Choice programme, both projects aimed to quantify and analyse freight demand along the 14 Strategic National Corridors. The MDS Transmodal GB Freight Model was utilised as the main analytical tool, supplemented by DfT traffic count data and information from other sources.
The first Network Analysis of Freight Traffic study established the current numbers of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on a link-by-link basis for all major roads along the 14 Strategic National Corridors. The HGV numbers were differentiated by direction, vehicle type (rigid or articulated), length of haul, commodities being conveyed and the proportion of traffic which is international in nature. International traffic was further differentiated by type (roll-on roll-off, maritime container) and port of entry/departure. Freight's contribution to total road vehicle demand was established by comparing total volumes of HGVs with the number of cars, light vans and coaches using each road. This allowed the links on the national corridors which experience severe network stress to be identified and the contribution freight flows make towards this stress. Network Rail data was also used to identify volumes, lengths of haul and commodities by direction of freight traffic moving on parallel railway routes.
The second Network Analysis study was essentially an extension of the above project, to provide more detailed and disaggregated data. It undertook further analysis, examining freight movements along the 14 Strategic National Corridors in terms of origin, destination, length of haul and commodity. It was designed to give the DfT an evidence base to better understand how freight is using the network and why. The project also provided similar data for coastal shipping traffic.
Both projects reports are now available to download from the DfT's website at the following link:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/freight-modal/
Longer Semi-Trailers Project
MDS Transmodal is part of a consortium including WSP, TRL and Cambridge University undertaking research into the potential introduction of longer semi-trailers to the domestic road haulage market commissioned by the Department for Transport. The research builds on previous work undertaken for the DfT by TRL into the scope for introducing longer and heavier goods vehicles (LHVs) in Great Britain. The DfT press notice is available at: link. The key aims and objectives of the project are to identify the potential costs and benefits of permitting the operation of longer semi-trailers within the domestic road haulage market. More...