Freight traffic in the Alps: the train goes backwards and the trucks grow (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Growth of rail freight transport stopped at 3.1%
• 7% increase for road transport by lorries
• Rail market share fell to 68% of the total
• Expected to exceed one million trucks by the end of the year

Key facts

• What: Trend in transalpine freight traffic
• When: Recent half-yearly data released by the UFT
• Where: North-south transit axis of the Alps
• Who: Federal Office of Transport UFT
• Amount: 511,000 trucks already transited in the period

More and more goods cross the Swiss Alps, but road transport grows more than twice as fast as rail transport. This is reported by the Federal Office of Transport in its semi-annual reports. Rail freight traffic grew by 3.1%, while truck transport increased by 7%. As a result, the rail sector saw its market share decrease by 0.9 percentage points to 68%. Meanwhile, 511,000 trucks have already been transited and the UFT predicts that, by the end of the year and for the first time in a long time, the overall share will once again exceed the threshold of one million heavy vehicles along the crossings. This evolution of transit flows directly affects the overall mobility and infrastructure also used daily by frontier workers and commuters along the main road routes.

Logistical factors and construction sites

Operational details

The repercussions on mobility and cross-border flows

The strong growth of road transport along the alpine passes inevitably affects the overall management of the road and highway network connecting Italy to Switzerland. Cross-border workers who cross the border every day to go to work in Canton Ticino find themselves sharing the same communication arteries with a growing flow of heavy vehicles and trucks. When rail transport experiences slowdowns or disruptions related to international construction sites, the pressure inevitably shifts to the road network, influencing travel times and the punctuality of commuters. The increase in the volume of transiting trucks requires constant attention to traffic conditions and the management of strategic customs crossings. For those who travel regularly for professional reasons, monitoring the state of traffic becomes essential to organize daily commutes and avoid long waits at the most frequented crossing points such as Brogeda or Gaggiolo.

Data analysis and modal comparison

The gap recorded between the +3.1% for trains and +7% for road transport highlights an opposing trend compared to the historical objectives of transferring freight traffic from road to rail. The reduction in the rail market share, which dropped to 68%, demonstrates how external factors, including the construction sites open in Germany expected until 2030, heavily impact the competitiveness of the rail carrier. This dynamic also affects supply methods and regional logistics, altering the balance of goods flows that feed the Swiss and Ticino economies. To delve deeper into the overall economic impact and costs related to travel and logistics in the cantonal territory, it is possible to consult the indicators relating to the cost of living.

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Key points

Daily travel management and useful tools

Addressing the critical issues related to the increase in freight traffic and heavy goods vehicles requires careful planning of cross-border movements. Border workers who depend on the punctuality of transport or who use highways to reach the workplace can take advantage of dedicated digital tools to check the status of roads and border crossings in real time. Planning your trip in advance allows you to reduce the inconvenience caused by high volumes of road traffic and construction sites along the main connection axes. For those who want to check alternative mobility options or calculate the economic impact of their daily trips, it is useful to access the support services and practical guides available on the portal.

Work checks and planning

The management of one's employment and financial position in Switzerland also includes the assessment of transport costs and the economic sustainability of commuting. To analyze in detail the tax withholdings, net salary and payroll management in light of current regulations, you can use the calcolatore salary.

Source: rsi.ch