CLOSER - Connecting Long and Short distance networks for Efficient tRansport

The issue of how our daily activities affect energy efficiency, safety, and the environment is among the most discussed topics in Europe today. In the search for improvement potential, mobility and transportation are at the top of the agenda.

Research supported by the European Commission proposes the concept of co-modality as an essential instrument to achieve a high level of mobility while respecting environmental protection. Co-modality is defined as the efficient use of different transport modes on their own as well as in combination.

Today's existing transport system is still far from being able to realize that concept. The interface between long and short-distance transport in a door-to-door trip often remains the weak link in the transport chain. This is true for both passenger and freight transport. The current situation favours the choice of uni-modal solutions by users, and handicaps the development of more competitive and more sustainable transport chains. In addition, this situation reduces the number of alternatives available to users, such as innovative services and intermodal transport. Instead, users have to cope with complex, expensive and inefficient operations in these interfaces.

The outcomes of CLOSER project will address these issues. CLOSER is a project co-funded by the European Commission FP7.

Based on existing research and practices, the project CLOSER will develop innovative tools for the analysis of interfaces and will check these tools within a number of case studies. As a result, specific recommendations for stakeholders will be provided in order to obtain:

• A more systematic approach to the whole project cycle of interfaces, from planning to design and operation.
  
• Specific guidelines for decision makers in order to cope with the challenges of a particular project, and in order to get the most out of the opportunities that each project offers in the areas of transport, spatial, and economic development.
• A friendlier regulatory environment; fostering cooperation and supporting better integrated interfaces.
  
• Improved mechanisms for funding those concepts with a higher degree of integration (including EU funding schemes).
  
• Greater involvement of stakeholders, particularly transport operators.

• For research and business communities:
  • Review of previous research results
  • Definition of a set of indicators
  • Recommendations
  • Case studies
• For decision makers:
  • More standardized approach to the definition interfaces
  • Guidelines for a more systematic approach to the project cycle of interfaces and their management
  • Recommendations concerning decision makers' roles in supporting and funding improvement schemes for interfaces
• Sharing and learning about good practices in Europe.

• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI (Coordinator)
• Institut National de Recherche sur les Transports et leur Sécurité - INRETS
• Transportøkonomisk Institutt - TOI
• Eurogrant GmbH - EUROGRANT
• Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus - VTT
• Centrum dopravního výzkumu, v.v.i - CDV
• Centre for Research and Technology Hellas / Hellenic Institute of Transport - CERTH/HIT
• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University – Transport Research institute - VGTU-TMI
• Centro de Estudios y Experimentación de Obras Públicas - CEDEX