In February 2019, Spain launched its first standard-gauge “rolling highway” service in response to the need to diversify and modernize freight transport.
The development of this type of service, considered more efficient and sustainable from both an economic and environmental standpoint, supports the implementation of a set of measures dedicated to rail freight transport. These measures target both standard-gauge connections to other European Union countries and domestic transport within the Iberian Peninsula on the Iberian gauge.
The concept of a “rolling highway” involves loading trailers or semi-trailers onto specialized railcars, known at the European level as RoLa. This model represents a competitive logistics solution, based on combining the advantages of road and rail transport, generating reductions in both operational and external costs.
This type of transport is integrated into the 2030 Strategy for Safe, Sustainable, and Connected Mobility, as well as into the “Mercancías 30” initiative, which aims to increase the share of rail freight transport in the national logistics system. The initiative also includes other areas of development, such as terminal modernization, infrastructure capacity expansion, and sector digitization, with a total estimated value of approximately EUR 8.44 billion.
In this context, priority corridors for this type of service have been defined, along with an indicative implementation timeline set for the period 2021–2030.
Rolling highway routes
Analyses conducted by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility have shown that the most efficient rolling highway services are those geared toward international freight flows. In particular, connections to France and Central Europe have proven to be the most profitable, with regions such as the Basque Country and the Mediterranean axis serving as the main departure points.
Domestically, the viability of these services depends largely on distance and the importance of logistics hubs. The most suitable routes are those connecting major intermodal hubs located more than 500 km apart, especially when ports with heavy roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) traffic are involved, where semi-trailers are frequently transferred between modes of transport.
As part of the rail freight development strategy, the routes designated for rolling highways are constantly updated, particularly on standard-gauge infrastructure. At the European level, two major development axes stand out. The first is the Atlantic Corridor, which connects Jundiz (Vitoria-Gasteiz) and Irún, the border crossing with France. The second is the Mediterranean Corridor, which crosses the south and east of the country along the Murcia–Valencia–Barcelona–Figueres route, facilitating international transport connections.
In contrast, on the metric-gauge lines, seven routes have been identified: According to estimates, the costs exceed EUR 384 million, of which the cost of the gauge analysis for the various corridors involved in the rolling highway services has been estimated at a total of EUR 4.2 million, while the cost of work on the railway infrastructure and terminals is estimated at EUR 380 million.
- Valencia – Madrid;
- Algeciras – Madrid – Zaragoza;
- Zaragoza – Barcelona – La Llagosta;
- Huelva – Seville – Córdoba;
- Madrid – Medina del Campo – Fuentes de Oñoro (located on the border with Portugal);
- Medina del Campo – Jundiz; and
- Zaragoza – Noáin – Alsasua – Jundiz.
Support for specialized rolling stock
The development of rail motorway services depends directly on the existence of appropriate technical and operational conditions. Where there is sufficient traffic volume to support such services, infrastructure and rolling stock interventions become a priority. These include checking and adapting gauge dimensions, introducing specialized railcars, building dedicated loading and unloading terminals, and modernizing lines to allow for the transport of P400 semi-trailers and the operation of trains up to 750 meters long.
To support these transformations, dedicated financing mechanisms are planned for the modernization and adaptation of railcars used in freight rail transport. These measures are part of broader programs aimed at sustainable and digitized transport, funded through the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan and supported by European instruments such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The funding is intended for both the acquisition of new rolling stock and the modernization of existing rolling stock, and is available to rail operators regardless of ownership structure. The objective is to align rail transport with current requirements regarding emissions reduction and increased interoperability, in line with infrastructure development and European standards.
For the purchase or renewal of freight cars (including through financial leasing), the support provided can reach up to 50% of eligible costs. For upgrades aimed at reducing braking noise by replacing cast-iron systems with composite brake blocks, funding is 40%. Similarly, for the installation of variable-gauge axles, necessary to increase the interoperability of railway networks, support of 40% of eligible costs is also provided.
This aid is awarded through a competitive process, with projects selected that best meet the objectives of efficiency, sustainability, and modernization of rail freight transport.
For the 2021–2030 period, the rail motorway services program has at least EUR 445 million available.
Adif is upgrading terminals and infrastructure
Over the past year, Adif has accelerated investments in the infrastructure necessary for operating rail freight corridors, with a clear focus on the development and modernization of intermodal terminals. The primary objective of these interventions was to adapt the rail network to the transport of semi-trailers and to increase the operational capacity for long-haul freight trains.
A concrete example is the Algeciras–Madrid–Zaragoza corridor, where approximately EUR 11.3 million were allocated for the modernization of eight railway stations. The works focused on extending the tracks, reconfiguring the platforms, and adapting the infrastructure for the efficient handling of rail motorway-type trains.
At the same time, Adif has developed a network of strategic logistics terminals, estimating that 6 of the 7 major planned terminals will become operational this year. These are located at key points in the network, particularly near major ports, to facilitate rapid transfer between maritime and rail transport.
Overall, these projects are part of a comprehensive investment program exceeding EUR 500 million, aimed at modernizing freight infrastructure. The initiatives include terminal development, the expansion of sidings, the installation of loading equipment, and integration into multimodal logistics chains. These measures create the necessary conditions for the efficient operation of trains up to 750 meters long and for increasing the competitiveness of rail freight transport.
In this context, Adif’s investments in terminals and infrastructure are essential for transforming rolling highways into a viable, large-scale solution. Through these developments, freight transport gains a more efficient and sustainable alternative to long-distance road transport, facilitating the integration of different modes of transport. Thus, rail freight corridors contribute to optimizing logistics chains, reducing costs, and creating a transport system that is more competitive and better adapted to the demands of the modern economy.
Share on:
