ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the process of developing intermodal terminals, including the layout of an intermodal terminal, and covers all the decisions about location, track length, electrification, transfer yard, storage space and marshalling. Developing intermodal terminals is a complex process, including many actors and functions. The chapter focuses on the category of independent open-access terminal development and design. It also analyses the operations of handling, stacking, dealing with train operators, dealing with trucks arrivals and so on. The chapter describes the role played by intermodal terminals in the intermodal transport system. It shows that the economic viability of an intermodal terminal is largely dependent on the competitiveness of intermodal transport. The chapter discusses governance and operational models, and introduces a life cycle governance perspective, which allows the planning and management of a terminal over the course of its life, generally several decades.
