Rail terminals designed to handle airfreight containers

In the same way as the requirements applying to Carex trains, the Carex concept of forwarding airfreight containers and pallets by rail also requires the design of new types of station in the form of air/rail terminals.

Studies have been completed for such terminals and the outcome should benefit all those involved in the Carex project. Clearly, each site will be able to adapt the standard design to meet its own specific needs. It is also essential that the resources and services provided for use by shippers are common to all Railports and/or interoperable in order to ensure that the Euro Carex service is viable and efficient. The major principles to be adopted in achieving this objective are already understood.

Tracks and platforms

These must be sized in such a way as to ensure that containers and pallets can be loaded and unloaded in record time. The train loading and unloading method adopted also influences platform width. Any decision in favour of using of tractor-drawn "dollies" could impose the need for a platform width of around 20 metres in order to provide a turning circle at the platform end.

The main building

In addition to tracks and platforms, the main building must also contain offices for official services (such as customs), technical services and facilities, a control room, rest areas for drivers and freight handling staff, etc.

Ancillary buildings

The terminal will also include ancillary buildings in the public and secure customs-regulated areas to provide storage for empty containers and less urgent freight awaiting dispatch. The Road transport terminal will receive trucks arriving from the public road network. A signal box will manage train arrivals and departures.

Site access

Some terminals will be physically located close to airport perimeters. Continuity between Security Restricted Areas (SRAs) and customs-regulated areas will be maintained by constructing a dedicated high-density link road to connect the airport to the Railport using dollies or other types of specialist airport vehicle (low loader trucks, vans, etc.)

For traffic flows external to the airport, road routes in the public area will be sized to ensure free movement of trucks, and major routes will be adapted as necessary in advance. Customs clearance facilities will be required for outgoing traffic flows on some occasions. Incoming freight must be security-checked and processed via a road access control point referred to in French as a PARIF (private road access inspection and filtering station) similar to those already used at airports. This will apply to all vehicles and personnel entering the site.