1. DFT Study: Future Potential for Modal Shift in the UK Rail Market
Geoff Clarke
AECOM Freight & Logistics

2. WHY MODAL SHIFT? 1

3. RAIL FREIGHT ISN’T GROWING

4. COAL HAS DECLINED

5. CURRENT TRENDS AND CONSTRAINTS2

6. CONSULTED STAKEHOLDERS
Campaign for Better Transport
CILT Rail Freight Forum
Colas Rail
DB Cargo UK
Drax Group
Europorte
Forth Ports
Freightliner
Freight on Rail
GB Railfreight
Hadley Associates
Hutchinson Ports
Kilbride Group
Lafarge Tarmac
Network Rail
Office of Rail and Road
PD Ports
Peel Ports Group
Rail Freight Group
Savills
Transport for London
Transport Scotland
Transworth Rail
Victa Railfreight
Welsh Government

7. CURRENT TRENDS BY COMMODITY
Prediction
ESI Coal,
Biomass
Nuclear Energy
Long-term decline 
Static
Long-term decline
Construction Materials
Long-term growth
Intermodal (Ports)
Steady growth
Intermodal (Domestic)
Channel Tunnel
Limited growth
Metals
Petroleum/Oil
Chemicals
Automotive
Slow growth
Non-ESI Coal
Industrial Minerals
Domestic Waste
Ore

8. IDENTIFIED CONSTRAINTS
INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY
Permitted Train Lengths
Electrification
Heavier Axle Loads
Diversionary Routes
Gauge Clearance
Freight Specific Infrastructure
Route Speeds
ROUTE CAPACITY
West Coast Main Line
Trans Pennine Route
Routes around London
High Speed Routes
TERMINAL CAPACITY
Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges
Urban Intermodal Terminals
Urban Construction Terminals
RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
Wagon Supply
Skills
“Capacity is the real issue. If shippers wanted to get their goods on rail across the Pennines we’d probably have to say ‘sorry, no’ at the moment..”
- A Northern Port Operator

9. IDENTIFIED BARRIERS TO MODAL SHIFT
INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY
Network Limitations
Terminal Limitations
Wagon Availability
Journey Time
COST BARRIERS
Transshipment Costs
Facilities & Equipment
FLEXIBILITY CONCERNS
Train Path Suitability
The 7 Day Railway
Diversionary Routes
Variance in Volumes
AWARENESS & ATTITUDE
Ease of Access
Demand Side Inertia
Startup Risk
SKILLS & TRAINING
Missed Opportunities
Complex Skills Landscape
“Slowing trains to stop them in loops and then restarting them adds significant time to journeys, making the journey an inefficient use of scarce capacity, uncompetitive with road and increases the environmental footprint.”
- An Energy Sector Freight User

10. IDENTIFIED SOLUTIONS 3

11. IDENTIFIED SOLUTIONS 1
INVESTMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE
New-build Terminals
Safeguard Land
Refurbished Terminals
Capacity & Gauge Enhancements
INNOVATION & NEW SYSTEMS
Alternative Locomotive Technology
ITS Solutions for Rail Freight
Studies into Supply Chain Solutions
FACILITATION & FUNDING
Cost Stability Development
Wider Policy Framework
Channel Freight Review
Rail Freight Innovation Fund
PROMOTION, MARKETING & ENGAGEMENT
Web-Based Portal
Financial Assistance
Rail Freight Conference Programme
Rail Freight Data Repository
Barriers to Shared Loads
Rail Freight Customer Forum
Freight Path Improvement
“The main barrier is speed; both getting Network Rail moving and also the grants system, they’re both too slow. It only really works if the customer is willing to provide finance.”
- A Leading UK Ports Operator

12. IDENTIFIED SOLUTIONS 2 REGULATORY INTERVENTION
Large Project Procurement
Market Entry Review
Cross Government Policy Intervention
Capacity & Gauge Enhancements
FURTHER STUDIES
Freight Corridor Resilience
Express Freight Solutions
Strategic Freight Network
Consolidation Centres
European Rail Freight
SKILLS, ACCESS & PROMOTION
Expand Potential Intake
Improve Existing Staff

13. Any Questions? THANK YOU