Does intermodal transport decrease energy consumption and CO2 emissions in freight transport ?

To compare figures of energy consumption of different transport modes, and derived CO2 emissions, for intermodal transport, an in-depth energy study was made, based on the technical characteristics of the vehicles equiped with best available techniques. Technical issues (such as: maximum load, resistance, mechanical efficiency and thermal efficiency) and operational issues (such as: length of vehicle, velocity, payload, transport of empty load-units and empty vehicle trips) were examined.