Decarbonizing freight transportation: An integrated EFA-TISM approach to model enablers of dedicated freight corridors

The growing concern for the environment and imperative need for technology-enabled energy efficient freight transportation have led to the development of dedicated freight corridors (DFCs) in many countries like Germany, Netherlands, Austria, and India. The rapid expansion of DFCs is needed to improve supply chain efficiency. DFCs have potential to decongest existing rail networks, reduce the modal share of road freight transportation, and decarbonize freight transport sector. This study attempts to use transition management theory for identifying enablers of DFC for the transition from road to rail freight transportation. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is employed to confirm the three-level transition management framework for these enablers. This paper also proposes an eight-level hierarchical total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) based model for explicating the inter-relationships among the enablers of DFC to decarbonize freight transportation and achieve sustainability in the freight transport sector. Eventually, this paper provides empirical evidence to identify and validate the enablers of DFC through the lens of transition management theory. This paper also highlights the role of 'adoption of advanced technologies' to achieve sustainability in freight transportation. The outcomes of this study also facilitate policy-makers in understanding and managing the key enablers of DFCs to decarbonize freight transport sector.