Improving European rail freight

European Rail Freight could offer a way to solve many transport related problems, mainly heavy congestion and pollution. It is also, in theory, the more efficient way to transport goods on longer distances. There are good reasons why national and European policies support the sector and aim at improving the European network.
Yet, the modal share of international rail freight remains low in Europe. The reason for this mainly lies with the fragmented national railway systems that create high costs and wait times at border crossing.
As part of the so called 4th Railway Package the EU has passed a bundle of legislative measures to improve the situation. Meanwhile the 2016 Rotterdam Ministerial Declaration and several dedicated national railway plans gave another push from the national level to overcome some of the long lasting issues.
The 16th Florence Rail Forum discussed the persisting challenge of improving rail freight in Europe based on these ongoing initiatives and exploring what further action might be needed