Impact of Digitalisation, the Changed Political Environment (Decarbonisation) and Increased Geopolitical Uncertainties on Rail Freight Transport

Based on previous studies, the project focuses on the impact of increased geopolitical uncertainty and digitalisation on the flow of goods and subsequently on the modal split in freight transport in the Austrian iron and steel industry. First, the development of the iron and steel industry in Austria, possible geographic concentration patterns, its location-dependency, as well as national and international linkages with other industries are presented. Based on these results, the effects of long-term structural trends, such as increasing regionalisation, digitalisation or decarbonisation, on the choice of location, production and demand for freight transport and the modal split are examined.