Key words:

Logistics objects, logistics center, public logistics center (freight village), intermodal transport, multimodal and combined transport, operator, intermodal transport terminals

 Chapter objectives:

• acquiring knowledge about terms: logistics center and public logistics center (freight village),
• understanding the importance of intermodal, multimodal and combined transport,
• getting acquainted with the terms: operator and intermodal transport terminals

 Time required to study the chapter: 8 hours

 Interpretation:

Logistics objects - logistics center and public logistics center (freight village):

Logistics centers

Logistics centers can be characterized as objects in which transport, logistics, forwarding, distribution and other companies operating in the logistics chain operate independently. They associate (consolidate) transport flows and, in some cases, even different modes of freight transport, thus, facilitate cooperation among individual carriers. They are built in places of transport nodes (hubs) and large economic concentrations.
 

In practice, the term "logistics center" is often confused with the public logistics center (PLC; freight village), however these are not interchangeable. The biggest difference consists mainly in the way of funding. PLCs are conceived as public and thus accessible to the broad business community, and the state is involved in their construction and cares to ensure equal access to offered services and activities.

Logistics centers divisions:

a.) Depending on the range of operation (geographical range) of LC: international, regional and currently dominant, local and sectoral LC. 

b.) Depending on the connection to transport infrastructure:

• Monomodal - with connection to one mode of transport, most often road,
• Multimodal - at least two modes of transport infrastructure,
• Intermodal - with connection to at least two modes of transport while allowing for handling with intermodal transport units.

c.) Depending on the function:

• Multimodal (intermodal),
• Transit terminal,
• Distribution center,
• Logistics services center.

d.) Depending on the purpose:

• Corporate,
• Logistics centers of logistics companies,
• Logistics areas,
• Logistics centers of the courier, express and parcel services providers,
• Logistics centers of internet shops.

e.) Depending on their construction funding:

• private,
• public.

LC services:

LCs offer basic, supplementary and other services.

• Basic services include transport services, transport providing (acquisition), loading, unloading, reloading (transshipment) goods (cargo) and handling units, goods transportation, goods and handling (transport) units storage (warehousing), commissioning, central parking (for passenger and freight vehicles), pick-up (collection) and delivery (distribution).

Intermodal transport terminals:

Basic terms:

Multimodal transport is the transportation of cargo by two or more modes of transport.

Intermodal transport is the relocation (transportation) of cargo in one and the same transport unit or on a road vehicle while using sequentially two or more modes of transport without handling with the cargo when changing the mode of transport.

Combined transport (transportation) is a specific type of intermodal transport where the major part of the journey is performed by railway, inland waterway or maritime transport and each initial and final part (section) of the journey, performed by road transport, is as short as possible.

Combined transport operator is a legal or natural person who, in its own name or through another person acting in his interest, concludes a combined transport contract, issues a single transport document and assumes responsibility for himself.

Container is a general term for a freight box - the TEU is the equivalent of a transport unit of the size of a twenty foot container (20').

Intermodal terminal (or intermodal transport terminal) can be characterized as a specially constructed and equipped area where, using transshipping systems (handling equipment), it is possible to transload (reload) the transport unit of the individual transport systems within intermodal transport.

Conception and basic elements of intermodal terminals:

• Road input infrastructure,
• Internal road network,
• Storage and stacking areas,
• Handling equipment,
• Reloading, handling and stacking railway tracks,
• Connecting railway tracks of a terminal with railway network,
• Repair and service facilities (workshop),
• Administrative areas.

• Length of railway tracks for loading and unloading: 750 m,
• Wharf length: min. 110 m,
• Handling equipment capable of handling any standard and established intermodal transport unit,
• 100 percent backup of handling equipment,
• Handling equipment load capacity - 40 to 42 t on hanging equipment,
• The terminal capacity is set so that a combined train (600 to 750 m) can be processed within 1 hour, and road freight delivery trucks do not wait for more than 20 minutes.

 

 Study materials:

Basic literature:

BUKOVÁ, B. et al. Zasielateľstvo a logistické činnosti. Iura Edition, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. 2008. ISBN 978-80-8078-232-0.

Recommended study materials:

STOPKA, O., ŠULGAN, M. Možnosti zavádzania nových technologických prvkov v logistických centrách a intermodálnych termináloch súvisiacich so zvyšovaním kvality dopravných služieb. In: Perner´s Contacts. 2010. Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 315-325. ISSN 1801-674X.

STOPKA, O., ŠULGAN, M. Intermodálne verejné logistické centrá. In: Doprava a spoje. 2012. No. 1, pp. 339-345. ISSN 1336-7676.

STOPKA, O., ŠULGAN, M. Komparácia terminálov intermodálnej prepravy na Slovensku a v Českej republike. In: Perner´s Contacts. Vol. 7, No. 1, 2012d. pp. 142 – 147. ISSN 1801-674X.

STOPKA, O., ŠULGAN, M. Železničné napojenia vybraných intermodálnych terminálov v ČR. In: PERNER’S CONTACTS. Elektronický odborný časopis o technológii, technike a logistike v doprave. Vol. VI, No. IV., Publishes by: University of Pardubice, Czech Republic, pp. 355-359. ISSN 1801-674X.

 

Questions and tasks

1.    Depending on the range of operation (geographical range), logistics centers are divided into:
Transit, multimodal, international and distribution
Monomodal, bimodal, intermodal and multimodal
International, regional, local and sectoral

2.   Public logistics centers can be characterized as:
Logistics objects in which transport, logistics, forwarding, distribution and other companies operating in the logistics chain operate independently. They associate (consolidate) transport flows and, in some cases, even different modes of freight transport, thus, facilitate cooperation among individual carriers. They are built in places of transport nodes (hubs) and large economic concentrations and their construction was supported from public fundings
Logistics objects which were not supported by public fundings but open to the business community 
Logistics objects with specially constructed and equipped area where, using transshipping systems (handling equipment), it is possible to transload (reload) the transport unit

3.   Depending on a construction funding, LCs are divided into:
Corporate and open 
Private and public
Logistics areas and private warehouses
 

4.  Intermodal logistics center is characterized as:
   LC, with connection to at least two modes of transport while allowing for handling with intermodal transport units 
   LC, with connection to at least three modes of transport 
   LC, with connection to at least one mode of transport and is equipped with a warehouse building

 5.  Basic services offered by logistics centers do not include:
Service, repairs, maintenance of transport and mechanization equipment 
Loading, unloading, reloading transport units 
Collection and delivery of consignments

6.    Combined transport is:
Transportation of goods by two or more modes of transport 
A specific type of intermodal transport where the major part of the journey is performed by railway, inland waterway or maritime transport and each initial and final part (section) of the journey, performed by road transport, is as short as possible
The relocation (transportation) of cargo in one and the same transport unit or on a road vehicle while using sequentially two or more modes of transport without handling with the cargo when changing the mode of transport 

7.    The equivalent of a transport unit of the size of a twenty foot container is indicated as:
ITU 
TIR 
TEU

8.    The basic elements of intermodal terminals do not include:
Cross-dock warehouse
Repair and service facilities 
Reloading, handling and stacking railway tracks
 

10. Framework requirements for an intermodal terminal meeting the criteria of the European Agreement on Important International Combined Transport Lines and Related Installations do not include:
Storage capacity of the terminal at least 10 000 m2 
Length of railway tracks for loading and unloading: 750 m 
The terminal capacity is set so that a combined train (600 to 750 m) can be processed within 1 hour, and road freight delivery trucks do not wait for more than 20 minutes 

Key to solve the questions:

1. C
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. A
6. B
7. C
8. A
9. A
10. A