Chokepoints in corridors: Perspectives on bottlenecks in the European transport network

Abstract

Intermodal transportation is often hampered by bottlenecks in transportation networks. One might therefore expect a large amount of academic and policy research to be available that clearly identifies the characteristics of these problems. However, this is not the case. The knowledge presented is rather fragmented and the range of the bottlenecks presented is wide. It fails to grasp the full extent of the problem and especially the cumulating and culminating effects of bottlenecks, for the scope of the research is often limited to a one-sided (logistics) perspective. A theoretical framework has been created to explore the multiple dimensions of bottlenecks. Empirical results show that a customer perspective, which emphasises the importance of the perspective of direct users of transport infrastructure, is the most prominent aspect lacking in the present understanding of bottlenecks. Furthermore, findings suggest that the conception of bottlenecks should be extended by incorporating other (often sectoral) dimensions to tackle the cumulating and culminating effects of bottlenecks. To conclude, an integrative perspective on the analysis of bottlenecks can add important insights to the present body of knowledge. This can be considered crucial information for policymakers as well as private parties dealing with bottlenecks in theory and in daily practice.