Scientific paper ID 1534 : 2017/3

The importance of rail freight transport has increased with the development of intermodal transport worldwide and in Turkey. The application of block trains brings forward a more efficient, competitive, and secure service network.

A ”National Combined Transportation Strategy Document Draft” has been prepared under the EU Twinning Project for Strengthening Intermodal Transport in Turkey. In this context, it is aimed to establish a safe, balanced, convenient, sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure in Turkey. Considering the goals of Turkey in 2023, the development of the railway network in the direction of block train transportation is very promising for the future in the name of increasing the cargoes of countries such as Turkey and China.

In this paper, geographically intersecting countries such as Turkey are considered, aiming to prove that the application of block trains in freight movements from Turkey to Europe has increased the cargo diversity, the positive effects on the foreign trade of the country aiding the development of lines.