Introducing Level-of-Service Standards for Intermodal Freight Terminals

Abstract

The quality of service issue plays a key role in the design and operation of intermodal freight terminals. Though not straightforwardly stated, the level of service offered by these facilities is strongly related to the terminal's productivity as well as to the decisions associated with infrastructure investment. Despite its importance, no widely accepted set of service standards has yet been adopted. On the basis of a number of considerations and the findings of relevant research projects, such a set of standards is introduced to provide reference values for investment strategies and terminal design studies and research. This set of standards is also useful for the interpretation of directives at the policy level and to quantified guidelines at the planning level.