The European freight transport system: Theoretical background of the new generation of bundling networks

This paper describes theoretical background of the innovative (new generation) of bundling networks emerged in the European freight transport system for the past decade. Four types of the network configurations have been analysed. These are: the 'point-to-point' network, the network of 'trunk line with collecting/distribution forks', the 'hub-and-spokes' network and the 'line' (or 'ring') network. For each configuration, the analytical models for quantifying the total delay and generalised cost of lending units in the network have been developed. In addition, the qualitative outcomes from these models have been discussed.