Hub- and spoke concept to integrate smaller terminals via mega hubs (Intermodal Network 2015+) – TIGER DEMO (FP7)

Intermodal train bundling concept via a rail hub (Intermodal Network 2015+)

Initially, it was planned to use the Megahub Hannover-Lehrte for the demonstration, but as the construction and opening of the terminal had been considerably postponed, it was decided to shift the Intermodal Network
2015+ activities to the intermodal terminal München-Riem, which could offer comparable conditions for hub and train operation. The Intermodal Network 2015+ demonstration integrated the following operational and technical components which are necessary for an efficient and effective intermodal hub-and-spoke-concept:

• Direct long-haul train entrance with momentum and direct train departure;
• Automated longitudinal transport of loading units to reduce gantry crane-movements (this technique was not available in München-Riem);
• Customized train path and resource planning;
• Optimised terminal processes (supported by a Terminal operating System);
• Information and communication technology: tools for technical management, capacity management and train monitoring.

All “Intermodal Network 2015+” activities have been concluded successfully in 2015 within the project lifetime but could not be used / implemented in the Meguhub Hannover-Lehrte directly, because, as already mentioned, the opening had been delayed. 

This facility was set into operation in 2020 having the Megahub-specific technical design elements: transhipment tracks with a sufficient length (700m) to accommodate a complete train and with electrified ends allowing for operation of long-haul locomotives, three gantry cranes covering all six transhipment tracks, gantry crane operation supported by battery-powered driverless Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These vehicles take over the longitudinal transport of loading units between the rail wagons.

Trial operation in Hannover-Lehrte started in June 2021 with five train pairs per week connecting two terminal locations/regions in Germany (Osnabrück and Regensburg/Landshut). In April 2021, the German intermodal operator Kombiverkehr started additional train connections to the terminals in Ludwigshafen, Duisburg, Lübeck, Kiel, Hamburg, Nürnberg, München, Mannheim in Germany and Malmoe (SE), Verona (IT), Rotterdam (NL), Lovosice (CZ), Malaszewicze (PL). https://megahub-lehrte.deutschebahn.com/megahub-lehrte/MegaHub-Kundeninfos/MegaHub-Verkehrsverbindungen-5141814

Megahub Hannover-Lehrte (https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-en/logistics-news/megahub-lehrte-now-officially-in-business-6354672#)

Kombiverkehr highlights that in their marketing activities that “Terminals in northwestern and northeastern Germany can also benefit from the diverse routings to a large number of national and international economic centers via short feeder services. In the future, mixed trains will start from locations that are not able to handle whole trains for only one destination terminal, and their loading units will be loaded onto trains with a single destination in the MegaHub. From each terminal, all other connected terminal locations are possible via Hanover, as well as further antenna transports via gateway” (https://www.kombiverkehr.de/en/transport/megaflexible/)

In relation to Logistics Networks, the “Intermodal Network 2015+” activities successfully demonstrated the concept to integrate smaller terminals into intermodal hinterland networks via Megahubs.

Expected impacts mainly concern:

• Decreased environmental impact; Improved energy consumption;
• Reduction of congestion on the road network;
• Modal shift;
• Decreased travel times;
• Improved performance of the European transport.