development of small-scale intermodal freight transportation in a ...

CONTENTS
ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................................... I
DISSERTATION................................................................................................................................. III
PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................ I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................................................................................................. III
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TABLE OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................XV
TABLE OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................XVII
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.............................................................................................................VIX
1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 What is intermodal freight transport? ........................................................................... 1
1.1.2 Why studying intermodal transport? ............................................................................ 6
1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEMS .............................................................................................................. 8
1.2.1 The cradle of intermodal transport ............................................................................... 8
1.2.2 Current operational principles.................................................................................... 13
1.2.3 The changing environment ........................................................................................ 16
1.2.4 Small is beautiful? ..................................................................................................... 18
1.2.5 The main research theme.......................................................................................... 20
1.3 RESEARCH PROCESS AND PURPOSES ...................................................................................... 21
1.4 METHOD................................................................................................................................. 23
1.4.1 General research approach ....................................................................................... 23
1.4.2 Data and information gathering.................................................................................. 27
1.5 TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................. 29
1.6 READER’S GUIDE .................................................................................................................... 34
1.6.1 Dissertation outline.................................................................................................... 34
1.6.2 A hierarchical system model showing the outline....................................................... 35
1.6.3 Writing style............................................................................................................... 37
1.6.4 Cross-references ....................................................................................................... 37
1.6.5 Reading suggestions ................................................................................................. 39
1.6.6 The reference and note system ................................................................................. 39
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