EDS and other freight activities are therefore progressively interacting more closely. Since the current trends are competition and concentration, a crucial issue is the establishment of European EDS networks, which can rival worldwide operators. This is one of the specific conditions to be satisfied for the European single market to work. The cost of entry and the scale of the investments needed for a European network require a substantial volume of traffic. Taking account of the size of the national markets, one can assume that the successful operators will be those which can be competitive in several national markets at the same time, and can establish an integrated facility on a continental if not a worldwide scale.
Some European firms have the resources to make a success of such a strategy.
The Action has contributed to a better knowledge of EDS, especially among researchers, who may draw lessons for other freight transport segments. Political bodies may be assisted in their decisions concerning not only EDS but also other categories of traffic. Urban Goods Transport COST 328 Integrated Strategic Transport Infrastructure Networks in Europe Publications Final Report Manuscript completed in October 1995.