EVALUATING THE INTERMODAL PERFORMANCE OF LEADING EUROPEAN TERMINALS

This paper describes the different types of performance indicators necessary for the evaluation of intermodal transport performance and are identified and analyzed. Based on them, methods and models that are able to evaluate the quality performance of the terminals are elaborated, as it is related to the types of equipments and organization schemes in place. The methods comprise models for the evaluation of different conditions. The first is an analytical hierarchy process model to assess the relative importance of overall performance of existing conditions. The second and the third are models to evaluate the performances of changes in terminals: One is evaluating changes in performance due to the introduction of new technologies; and the other is evaluating the impact on quality performance due to changes in organizational procedures. The first and second models were calibrated for European terminals, using data collected from 42 major European terminals, complimented with extensive interviews. The third was tested with a demonstration case carried out in a leading European Terminal, the "Quadrante Europa" terminal in Verona Italy.