ROLA train on Brenner pass
Innsbruck, Austria, 01/12/2021 – transferring road transport to railways is an important step in the fight against climate change. A key element of this is the eco-friendly transportation of trucks by rail with the Rolling Road (ROLA, German short form for “Rollende Landstraße”) of the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG).
The ROLA concept has really gained momentum this year. By the end of October 2021, the total number of trucks recorded on all ROLA routes had reached 158,000, meaning that RCG has already exceeded its performance from each of the last two years. In 2019, about 151,000 trucks were transported across all ROLA routes; in 2020, that number was 147,000. This year the RCG managed to reach that level in Autumn. This growth is almost entirely attributable to the significant increase in the number of ROLA connections on the Brenner axis, on which 135,000 trucks had passed through Tyrol by rail by the end of October. This positive result is also reflected in the huge volumes of CO2 saved by ROLA, amounting to more than 20,000 tonnes since the start of the year.
RCG’s ROLA offers
From the terminal in Wörgl, the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group operates the cross-border connection between Wörgl and Trento, as well as the Brenner Pass connection. The ROLA’s capacities can be adjusted to meet increased demand whenever necessary. In addition to the ROLA connections on the Brenner route, the RCG also runs the Wels–Maribor connection.
The ROLA offers many benefits
The staff of the transport industry can spend the legal driving and rest time in motion on the train while the ROLA is running. Another benefit for people living alongside the railway line is that all ROLA low-floor wagons are fitted with disc brakes, which reduce noise. Moreover, the "Quieter Routes", which will be introduced across the EU from 2024, will bring about a significant change for Tyrol. From 2024, all freight wagons running on these routes must be "quiet". The Kufstein-Brenner railway line in Tyrol will become a "Quiet Route", which effectively amounts to a ban on "noisy" freight wagons in Tyrol. The required measures will approximately halve the perceived noise level in freight traffic.
COVID-19 – health and safety are paramount
The occupancy level in the accompanying carriages is constantly monitored to ensure that physical distancing is maintained on board. Wearing FFP2 masks is mandatory. At the same time, increased protective and disinfection measures remain in place. For example, the most important points of contact in the accompanying carriage, such as toilet facilities, tables, door handles, guiderails and surfaces, are disinfected after each turn of the train.
Rail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB
The Rail Cargo Group is one of the leading rail logistics companies in Europe. We are the ones shaping the industry – 365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. We connect people, businesses and markets – from the first to the last mile. It’s thanks to our 9,393 members of staff from 34 nations located in 18 different countries that 460,000 trains a year, which means 1,260 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport 95 million net tonnes of freight each year. We have a modal share of 28.2 % of the total freight market in Austria, which makes us top of the league in Europe. Every year, we save the climate from around 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in Austria. Operational management of the Rail Cargo Group lies with Rail Cargo Austria AG.