Increasing rail freight by using curtain-sided containers
Most intermodal rail freight moves in steel box containers. For road freight, curtain-sided containers are the main choice due to their ease of loading and unloading. However, use of curtain-sided containers in rail freight is limited.
Increased use of curtain-sided containers on the GB rail network will help the rail freight sector expand. This will support the government 75% growth target by 2050.
However, concerns about security, safety, and operational performance needed to be addressed.
RSSB carried out research using incident data involving curtain-sided containers. RSSB also developed a good practice guide.
RSSB had discussions with the freight sector about curtain-sided containers. Those discussions then informed our production of guidance. The guidance is clear, and shows how curtain-sided containers can be used safely and effectively. This helps the freight sector to understand and mitigating risks when using of curtain-sided containers.
The risk analysis and good practice guide have practical solutions to mitigate the risks from curtain-sided containers. It can be used by rail freight operators, road freight operators and terminal owners.
These will encourage freight operators to adopt curtain-sided containers. This will create opportunities to increase the rail freight’s share of freight traffic. This helps rail freight to work towards its target of 75% growth. Increasing rail freight also has environmental and societal benefits thanks to reduced emissions and congestions.