DETERMINANTS OF INTERMODAL TRANSPORT AND TURKEY'S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

A. Güldem CERİT (Dokuz Eylül University)
Okan TUNA (Dokuz Eylül University)
D. Ali DEVECİ (Dokuz Eylül University)

Intermodalism can be defined as a technical, legal, commercial and management framework for moving goods from door to door using more than one mode of transport. Intermodalism is a transport system where part of the journey is by rail, inland waterway or sea and any initial and/or final leg carried out is by road as short as possible. Standardisation, expenditure, interchange points, organisational coordination, deregulation and other encouragement are keys to successful intermodal transport.

As far as the Turkey's land-bridge position in North-South and West-East transit transportation is considered, Turkey has many advantages in terms of intermodal transport. Although Turkey has a strategic position with regard to intermodalism and shipping, she can not enjoy the benefits this position. This study aims to analyse the transport capabilities of Turkey in terms of intermodalism and to provide insights both for the authorities and practitioners in order to improve the intermodal movement of containers.