Intermodal mobility concepts - simply explained
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Intermodal mobility concepts describe the combination of different modes of transport in one way. In times when mobility has to become significantly more flexible, intermodal mobility concepts come into focus. Here we explain what is behind the term intermodality.
The origins of intermodality
The idea of intermodal transport comes from the field of freight transport. It was first used in the United States in the 1960s and describes the transport of a good from starting point A to destination B using several modes of transport.
- Example: A good is picked up by truck and driven to the port. There it is transported overseas in a cargo ship and loaded onto a train at the destination port that takes it to its destination.
- Thus three different means of transport were used on one route; the means of transport were chained or combined, so to speak.
The increasing importance of intermodal mobility concepts
This model can be applied to passenger transport. Intermodality - in Duden, by the way, simply defined as a combination of different modes of transport - is gaining in importance in times when passenger transport in particular faces completely new challenges.
- New technological innovations, such as e-scooters or climate protection measures by politicians, such as the diesel driving bans, pose enormous challenges for the mobility industry, especially in cities.
- If modes of transport are no longer available or are no longer allowed to be used in the city center, mobility must become more flexible. In order to get to your destination as quickly as possible, a seamless transition from means of transport A to means of transport B must be ensured. The principle of intermodality will therefore increasingly be used in the future.
- There are many intermodal mobility concepts, but most of them make it clear that the car in particular will play a new role. Especially in cities, the principle of car sharing will also gain in popularity.
Intermodality and multimodality: the small but subtle difference
Intermodality is often referred to as a special form of multimodality. However, the two terms must be clearly distinguished from one another. While multimodality explains the use of different modes of transport on different routes, intermodality describes the combination of at least two modes of transportation on a single route.
- If you go to work by bike on Mondays, take the bus on Tuesdays and take the tram on Wednesdays, you fall into the principle of multimodality.
- However, if you first cycle to the bus stop on Mondays and then get on the bus to get to your final destination, you have covered the route intermodally.
Intermodal travel today
Many are already using intermodal mobility, albeit unconsciously. The flexible combination of different modes of transport is already supported by various apps.
- The best known is Qixxit - it shows you the fastest way from point A to point B and therefore includes all available means of transport.
In the next article you will find out how much the costs for TIER e-scooters are.