A New Approach to Integrated Cross-Modal Transport – the FOX and USE-iT Experience

The objective of this paper is to present a new interdisciplinary approach to integrated transport which considers all modes of transport including road, rail, water and air. Integrated and cross-modal transport is presented from the user perspective and in consideration with the infrastructure changes and adaptations necessary for implementing current and future technologies. Cross modal transport research gaps and experience gained from participating in two Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs) – FOX (Forever Open Infrastructure across (X) all transport modes) and USE-iT (Users, Safety, security and Energy in Transport Infrastructure) – funded under the H2020 framework constitute the core of the paper. A comprehensive research roadmap was produced as a result of these projects which highlighted the key research areas that cross-modal transport should focus on. The paper concludes with a discussion on the role of research and innovation in meeting cross-modal and integrated transport’s challenges and the role of the projects in breaking down the silo thinking of transport.