Missing networks: The case of European freight transport

Abstract

The concept of missing networks refers to the absence of strategic layers or components of Europe's transport and communications infrastructure which may be both material or immaterial in nature. The paper reviews some of the issues that need to be taken into account when dealing with these missing networks and shows how these can be resolved in practice with respect to European freight transport. It is argued that what is needed in this case is an inter‐modal perspective and a multi‐layer view of networks. Combined transport can be regarded as an efficient way of overcoming current limits by improving inter‐modal transit potential thereby enabling a much better use to be made of existing capacity.