Il trasporto ferroviario in Italia: una analisi dei collegamenti ferroviari di trasporto combinato.

In this paper, an analysis o f combined rail freight transport in Italy is carried out. Firstly, after an introduction on combined rail transport in Italy and Europe, the main characteristics o f this transport mode are provided. In particular, an overview on the typologies o f rail connections operated in combined freight transport is provided, and, in particular, a distinction is made between scheduled and non scheduled ones. Secondly, the research focuses on the main Italian rail terminals for combined transport: the scheduled connections among these terminals are determined, and the reasons why some o f these rail terminals have become the most important are analyzed. Three main categories o f rail terminals in Italy have been identified: rail terminals located in complex logistic structures, such as freight villages; rail terminals completely devoted to rail-road intermodal activities, and which are not located in freight villages; rail terminals located in ports (or close to them). Thirdly, this research aims at understanding the strengths and weaknesses o f combined rail freight transport in Italy, in order to know which aspects must be improved and where it is necessary to invest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]