{{Short description|Process of shipping loaded trucks on railway cars}} {{Redirect|Rolling road|the vehicle testing device|Dynamometer|the road in Maryland|Maryland Route 166}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2009}} [[Image:RoLa Loetschberg.jpg|thumb|Rolling highway on the southern Lötschberg ramp, pulled by two BLS Re 465]] [[Image:Rolling road transport at Matrei am Brenner, 14.10.2017.jpg|thumb|ÖBB Class 1016 using Niederflurwagen banking a rolling highway on the Brenner Railway in Matrei am Brenner]] In rail transportation, a '''rolling highway''' or '''rolling road''' is a form of combined transport involving the conveying of road trucks by rail, referred to as Ro-La or ROLA trains (from the German expression "Rollende Landstrasse"). The concept is a form of piggyback transportation.

The technical challenges to implement rolling highways vary from region to region. In North America, the loading gauge is often high enough to accommodate double stack containers, so the height of a semi-trailer on a flatcar is no issue. However, in Europe, except for purpose built lines such as the Channel Tunnel or the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the loading gauge height is much smaller, and it is necessary to transport the trailers with the tires about {{convert|30|cm|in|2|abbr=on}} above the rails, so the trailers cannot be simply parked on the surface of a flat car above the wagon wheels or bogies. Making the wagon wheels smaller limits the maximum speed, so many designs allow the trailer to be transported with its wheels lower than the rail wagon wheels. An early approach in France was the ''Kangourou wagon''<ref>http://roadmaster-087.skyrock.com/3197907081-SNCF-Kangourou.html Piggyback transport in the 60s video in French</ref> with modified trailers. This technology did not survive, due to the market resistance to modified trailers. Today, three designs for these special wagons are in commercial service, "Modalohr", "CargoBeamer" and "Niederflurwagen".<ref> https://www.railcargo.com/de/leistungen/wagenladungen/equipment/gueterwagen/niederflurwagen {{cite web |url=https://www.railcargo.com/de/leistungen/wagenladungen/equipment/gueterwagen/niederflurwagen |work=www.railcargo.com/ |title=Niederflurwagen (European compatible car that allows linear loading) |date=28 December 2021 |author=Rail Cargo Group |access-date=28 December 2021}} </ref><ref> {{cite web |url=https://ralpin.com/solutions/timetablesandprices/ |work=www.ralpin.com/ |title=Ralpin |date=28 December 2021 |author=Ralpin |access-date=28 December 2021}} </ref><ref> {{cite web |url=https://www.mobadaten.info/wiki/FLM_527403_%C3%96BB_V_Saadkms_Niederflurwagen_%22%C3%96KOMBI/Tatschl%22 |work=www.mobadaten.info |title=Niederflurwagen |date=28 December 2021 |author=modadaten |access-date=28 December 2021}} </ref>

During a rolling-highway journey, if the drivers accompany the trailer, they are accommodated in a passenger car or a sleeping car. At both ends of the rail link there are purpose-built terminals that allow the train to be easily loaded and unloaded.

== Examples of rolling highways == Rolling highways are mostly used for transit routes, e.g. through the Alps or from western to eastern Europe.

=== Austria === {{unreferenced section|small=yes|date=December 2023}} In Austria, rolling highways exist from Tyrol to Italy and from Upper Austria to Slovenia. Traditionally, Austria is a transit country and therefore the rolling highway is of environmental importance. In 1999 the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) carried 254,000 trucks, which equals {{convert|8500000|t}} of load (including vehicle's weight) (158,989 trucks in 1993). The rolling highway trains in Austria are operated by Rail Cargo Austria, the cargo division of ÖBB

=== India === [[File:RoroTrainKhed.JPG|thumb|Trucks on the Konkan Railway Rolling Highway]] In 1999, the Konkan Railway Corporation introduced the ''Roll On Roll Off'' (RORO) service on the section between Kolad in Maharashtra and Verna in Goa,<ref>{{cite web |title=ROAD-RAIL SYNERGY SYSTEM |url=http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page1.asp?relid=949|work=Press release, Press Information Bureau, dated 2004-20-05 |access-date=2008-12-22}}</ref> which was extended up to Surathkal in Karnataka in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=186663|work=Online edition of the Business Standard, dated 2004-06-16|title=New Konkan Rly service begins|access-date=2008-12-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061200931900.htm|work=The Hindu Business Line|title=RORO Service Again on Konkan Railway|date=11 June 2004}}</ref> The RORO service, the first of its kind in India, allowed trucks to be transported on flatcars. It was highly popular,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/11/14/stories/2003111402032000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050115143924/http://hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/11/14/stories/2003111402032000.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2005|work=The Hindu, dated 2003-14-11|title=Convergence on the Konkan Railway|author=S. Vydhianathan|access-date=2008-12-22}}</ref> carrying about 110,000 trucks and bringing in about {{INR}}740 million worth of earnings to the corporation until 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/tender/ro-ro.pdf|work=Official webpage of the Konkan Railway Corporation|title=Roll On Roll Off (RORO) Service on Konkan Railway|access-date=2008-12-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090304113259/http://www.konkanrailway.com/website/tender/ro-ro.pdf|archive-date=2009-03-04}}</ref> These services are now being extended to other parts of India<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=159898|title=Press Information Bureau, Govt. of India Dated 24-March-2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/in-a-first-indian-railways-commence-ro-ro-service-on-central-and-western-railways/articleshow/65911521.cms|title=Mumbai Mirror article, dated Sep 22, 2018}}</ref>

=== Switzerland === In Switzerland, rolling highways across the Alps exist for both the Gotthard and Lötschberg - Simplon route. They are operated by RAlpin AG, headquartered in Olten.<ref>[http://www.ralpin.com/ RAlpin AG]</ref> On April 15, 2015, BLS cargo launched a service between Cologne and Milan capable of transporting {{convert|4|m|adj=on|spell=in}} articulated lorry trailers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/freight/bls-cargo-launches-gotthard-cargobeamer-intermodal-service.html?channel=527 |work=Rail Journal |title=BLS Cargo launches Gotthard CargoBeamer intermodal service |date=16 April 2015 |first=Anitra |last=Green |access-date=18 April 2015}}</ref> The RAlpin accompanied truck service will close earlier than planned at the end of 2025, citing disruptions on the German rail network <ref>{{cite web |title=Press release The Rolling Highway will be discontinued at the end of 2025 |url=https://ralpin.com.pagesystem.ch/sites/default/files/2025-05/2025_05_05_RAlpin_MM_EN_Final.pdf |access-date=3 July 2025}}</ref>

=== Italy === In 2018, 51% of the Ten-T network has been made adequate to P\C 80 loading gauge, required for ERA Technical Specifications for Interoperability to conveying road trucks by train. Further upgrades are underway.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.mercintreno.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Mercintreno-27-settembre-2017-Simeri-Piccioni-Ferrovie-delle-Stato.pptx |last1=Simeri |first1=Rosanna |last2=Piccioni |first2=Daria |title=MERCINTRENO 2017 "Una prima analisi degli effetti sul sistema ferroviario merci della presenza del Gottardo a circa un anno dalla sua inaugurazione" |publisher=Direzione Commerciale ed Esercizio Rete RFI |page=12 |date=2017-09-27 |language=It}}</ref>

=== France === Two rolling highways are currently in operation in France, both using French Modalohr technology: the {{cvt|175|km|mi}} Autoroute Ferroviaire Alpine, connecting the Savoy region to Turin through the Fréjus Rail Tunnel owned and operated jointly by SNCF and Trenitalia, and the {{cvt|1,050|km|mi}} Lorry-Rail which connects Bettembourg, Luxembourg, to Perpignan operated by SNCF. Lorry-Rail only carries trailers, while the AFA carries accompanied and unaccompanied trailers. Since June 2012, these two are operated under the brand "VIIA" by SNCF Geodis.

In 2013, plans were announced to add more routes in France.<ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/more-lorries-to-move-by-rail.html |work=www.railwaygazette.com |title=More lorries to move by rail |date=19 Sep 2013 |access-date=26 Jan 2014}} </ref> One was planned to link Dourges (near Lille) to Tarnos (near Bayonne) in spring 2016 <ref> {{cite web |last1=Demangeon |first1=Érick |url=http://www.lantenne.com/Autoroute-ferroviaire-atlantique-enquete-publique-jusqu-au-23-juillet_a18823.html |work=www.lantenne.com/ |title=Autoroute ferroviaire atlantique : enquête publique jusqu'au 23 juillet |date=3 July 2014 |language=french |access-date=12 April 2015}} </ref> and the other was an extension North from Bettembourg to Calais. Eurotunnel announced its intention to build a terminal at Folkestone to extend the Dourges-Tarnos route to the UK .<ref> {{cite journal | last = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | title = Autoroute Ferroviaires | trans-title = Rolling Highways | url = http://www.eurotunnelgroup.com | language = french | journal = Rapport d'Activité et de Responsabilité Sociétale 2014 | location = Coquelles | publisher = Groupe Eurotunnel SE | access-date = 12 April 2015 | page = 8 }}</ref> However, in April 2015 the French ministry of transportation announced the cancellation of the Dourges–Tarnos route, citing financial concerns.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2015/04/30/le-gouvernement-renonce-a-l-autoroute-ferroviaire-entre-le-pas-de-calais-et-les-landes_4625447_3234.html |work=Le Monde |title=Le gouvernement renonce à l'autoroute ferroviaire entre le Pas-de-Calais et les Landes |date=30 April 2015 |language=french |access-date=30 April 2015}}</ref>

In July 2020, the government announced two further routes, Sète–Calais and Cherbourg–Bayonne.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cazenave |first1=Fabien |title=Fret ferroviaire. Jean Castex annonce la création d'autoroutes ferroviaires, dont Cherbourg-Bayonne |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/politique/jean-castex/fret-ferroviaire-le-premier-ministre-jean-castex-annonce-la-creation-d-autoroutes-ferroviaires-6920038 |publisher=Ouest France |access-date=28 August 2021 |date=28 July 2020}}</ref> French Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari confirmed in September 2021 €15m funding in 2021 for further development of ''autoroutes ferroviaires'' including Calais – Sète, Cherbourg – Bayonne and Perpignan – Rungis.<ref>{{cite web |title=Funds confirmed to support rail freight relaunch strategy |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/freight/funds-confirmed-to-support-rail-freight-relaunch-strategy/59901.article |website=Railway Gazette International |access-date=15 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2025 Brittany ferries announced the start of operations between Bayonne and Cherbourg (for Poole and Rosslare).<ref name="BritFer">{{cite journal |last1=l |title=Ferry company launches rail motorway |journal=Railway Gazette International |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/freight/ferry-company-launches-rail-motorway/68984.article |access-date=3 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

Investment of €80m includes: * 36 wagons * €17m by port authorities for the Cherbourg terminal, including €3·4m to revive the branch line to the port. * €19m by national government for a new terminal at Bayonne-Mouguerre. * €3m by SNCF Réseau on gauge enhancement between Caen and Tours, with a further €30m in future to enlarge four tunnels to B+ loading gauge between Poitiers and Bordeaux and enable electric traction.

As of July 2025, the following routes are offered in France:

'''VIIA<ref>{{cite web |title=VIIA - VIIA en Europe |url=https://www.viia.com/le-reseau/viia-en-europe/ |website=VIIA |access-date=3 July 2025 |language=fr-FR}}</ref>''' * Calais – le Boulou (1200&nbsp;km, 22h) * Calais – Mâcon * Calais - Sète * Bettembourg (Luxembourg) – le Boulou * Aiton – Orbassano

'''Cargobeamer<ref name="Cargobeamer">{{cite web |title=Network |url=https://www.cargobeamer.com/network |website=cargobeamer.com |access-date=3 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref>''' * Calais – Perpignan (1100&nbsp;km, 24h) ''' Brittany Ferries '''<ref name="BritFer" /> * Cherbourg - Bayonne

=== Other Europe === '''Cargobeamer''' <ref name="Cargobeamer"/> * Kaldenkirchen - Domodossola 23h * Calais/Ashford - Perpignan 28h * Stuttgart - Domodossola 18h * Kaldenkirchen - Bari (Gateway) 50h * Domodossola - Bari 35h

== See also == {{Div col|colwidth=18em}} * Intermodal freight transport * Roll-on/roll-off * Roller container#ACTS intermodal transport system * CargoBeamer * Car shuttle train * LeShuttle * Modalohr * Motorail * Pocket wagon * Roadrailer * Trailer-on-flatcar * Well car * Class U special wagon#Intermodal container well wagons {{Div col end}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|Rolling road (rail transport)}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.privatbahn-magazin.eu/index.php?cat=Magazine&page=Comparison |title=System comparison: Concepts for combined cargo |date=June 2011 }}

=== Comparable concepts === * [http://advantage-environment.com/transporter/trucks-take-the-train-to-reduce-climate-impact/ Environmental Advantage] * [http://www.flexiwaggon.se/ Flexiwaggon, corporate website] * [http://www.bestfact.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/bestfact_Quick_info_greenlogistics_2-060-Megaswing.pdf Kockums Megaswing]

Category:Rolling highways Category:Intermodal transport Category:Trains