VTG Awarded the ‘German Mobility Transition Prize’

For the rail freight transport of tomorrow: VTG has been awarded the ‘German Mobility Transition Prize’ by the non-profit rail alliance Allianz pro Schiene e.V. The prize is part of the project ‘Mobility Transition in Practice’, which is funded by the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Ministry for the Environment.

(Hamburg) The independent jury, consisting of experts from science and practice, recognized the innovative strength and the great potential for implementing the traffic shift of the ‘roadrailLink’ (r2L) technology and named the project a best-practice example for sustainable transport and mobility.

“As an internationally leading wagon rental and rail logistics company with the largest private fleet in Europe, VTG is actively driving the mobility transition forward. We want to make rail transport future-proof and provide our customers with solutions that they can easily adapt and integrate into their supply chain. Therefore, we are very pleased with the confirmation of our work and the award of the ‘German Mobility Transition Prize’,” says Sven Wellbrock, Chief Operating Officer Europe and Chief Safety Officer of VTG AG.

Making Non-Cranable Semi-Trailers Rail-Compatible

Together with logistics provider VEGA International and vehicle manufacturer Kässbohrer, VTG has developed a solution to make previously non-cranable semi-trailers ‘rail-compatible’. “Still, around 95 percent of semi-trailers in the EU are not cranable and thus not suitable for combined transport,” explains Jakob Öhrström, Managing Director and Head of the Center of Competence Intermodal at VTG Rail Europe. “The r2L handling and transport technology enables the immediate and uncomplicated transfer of transports from road to rail.” The r2L basket makes 97 percent of all non-combinable truck trailers cranable. This is a fully galvanized loading basket into which the trailers are driven. With the help of a terminal crane or reach stacker, the basket along with the trailer can then be lifted into or out of a double pocket wagon.

Actively Supporting Climate Goals

This technology creates ecological added value, increases traffic permeability, and already saves CO₂ emissions today. Based on the reference values that a truck has an average diesel consumption of 33 liters per 100 km and the average CO₂ emissions of 1 liter of diesel amount to 2.615 kg, up to 200 tons of CO₂ savings per deployed r2L basket are possible each year. This further underscores VTG’s commitment to actively support the climate goals of the European Union together with the shipping industry and to drive the shift of traffic from road to rail forward.

Photo: © VTG