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MOSI-T is active in the field of transportation and logistics management. Prof. Dr. Cathy Macharis is in charge of MOSI-T. She is specialized in the application of socio-economic evaluation methods in the field of transportation and logistics. Among other things, the MAMCA (Multi-Actor, Multi-Criteria Analysis) method was further elaborated and refined so it could be applied in the field of transportation and logistics. MOSI-T’s research can be divided into four main research areas. In all cases, an integrated and policy-orientated approach is aimed at. 1. Mobility policy The projects on mobility policy cover the socio-economic evaluation of policy measures or strategies. This evaluation is done by way of a cost-benefit analysis or a multi-actor, multicriteria analysis. Examples of these projects are the evaluation of the implementation of tradable mobility rights (2002-2003), the socio-economic impact of free public transport (2004-2005) and the socio-economic impact of the expansion of the hub-activities of the DHL courier at Brussels-Zaventem airport (2004-2005). In addition, in 2006, a project was started to investigate the impact of the aviation sector on climate changes and formulate recommendations with regard to policy possibilities in this area. 2. Transportation infrastructure We also have a policy approach for the socio-economic evaluation of large infrastructural projects, such as the renovation of the Royers lock (2004) and the economic developmental possibilities of the Dender (2004-2005). We take into account all decision-making criteria for the investments and, if necessary, analyse them by way of operational research models. Other examples of projects from this research domain include the Master plan for the harbour of Brussels (2002-2004), the Economic Development Study for the harbour of Antwerp (2005) and the development and estimation of the market-share model for Western European container harbours (2003). 3. Traffic safety technology A third pillar is the evaluation of sophisticated operating systems which can improve traffic safety. This pillar was mainly elaborated in European projects, such as ADVISORS (2001-2002), IN-SAFETY (2005-2007) and IMPROVER (2005). The developed methodology and policy results were published in scientific publications (e.g. Macharis et al., 2005 and 2006). 4. Intermodal transportation The MOSI-T group has extensive expertise in the field of intermodal transportation. Both the locational analysis of intermodal terminals and the possibility of further stimulating the sector constitute a constant research interest of MOSI-T. Three books on intermodal transportation and various scientific and policy-oriented articles on the development of intermodal transportation have been published. Furthermore, in 1999, a European cluster “intermodal transportation and logistics” was launched within the European NECTAR network. Projects in this research domain include the strengths/weaknesses analysis of intermodal transportation in Flanders for the Flemish government, the research into the missing links in intermodal transportation (2002-2003), the very practical projects for the Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek (Flemish Institute for Logistics), where statements from the real life of shippers and operators were recorded (2005), and the possibility of transporting pallets by inland navigation, as well (2006). Since 2005, we have been writing contributions on intermodal transportation for the Milieurapport Vlaanderen (Flemish environmental report) (MIRA-T).
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