Title: From Northern Europe to Russia and Asia, and vice versa: traffic flow analysis – current situation and development trends

Authors: Olli-Pekka Hilmola, Sandor Ujvari, Marko Torkkeli, Harri Lorentz, Thomas Andersson

Addresses: Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kouvola Research Unit, Prikaatintie 9, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland. ' School of Technology and Society, University of Skovde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28 Skövde, Sweden. ' Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kouvola Research Unit, Prikaatintie 9, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland. ' Turku School of Economics and Business Administration, Rehtorinpellonkatu 3, FIN-20500 Turku, Finland. ' School of Technology and Society, University of Skovde, P.O. Box 408, SE-541 28 Skovde, Sweden

Abstract: European manufacturers have enlarged their manufacturing networks to Asia. Also, the growing demand in Asia as well as in Russia creates challenge for supply chain solutions. This research presents survey research results, targeted on the largest manufacturers and retailers in Finland and Sweden. We estimate how transportation modal split (road, sea, railway and air) will evolve in the future, and how traffic flows will develop between Europe, Russia, and Asian countries. We also present an estimation of the future transportation costs development. In the analysis phase, it is also considered how large volumes could be shifted to favour railway connection.

Keywords: international transport; transportation modes; railways; emerging markets; retailing; manufacturing industry; Europe; Russia; Asia; traffic flow analysis; SCM; supply chain management; Finland; Sweden; modal splits; road transport; sea transport; shipping; air transport; costs; freight; China; Japan; South Korea; India; Baltic States; logistics systems; logistics management; R&D; research and development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2010.030961

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.2, pp.205 - 217

Published online: 14 Jan 2010 *

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