The importance of intermodal transport in Poland in the context of sustainable development

Sustainable development is becoming a paradigm of civilisation changes of the contemporary world. Transport must be sustainable in the light of the challenges ahead. One of the most forward-looking types of transport, in terms of economy and ecology, namely intermodal transport, i.e., transport which uses more than one mode of transportation, has been recently gaining in importance. The purpose of this article is to present the role and importance of intermodal transport in Poland in the context of sustainable development. The first part of the study concentrates on the analysis of the issue of intermodal transport development, taking into account the assumptions of the policy of sustainable development. The further part of the study presents the essence of intermodal transport and its development potential in Poland, identifying the basic advantages and barriers in this area. The author has indicated the conditions that have shaped intermodal transport market and defined areas where changes and innovations need to be put in place to enable sustainable development of the intermodal market in the country. Intermodal transport is still struggling with many barriers, but the increasingly better infrastructure and policies of the European Union, which creates sustainable transport, have a positive impact on the growth of transport cohabitation. Based on the results of the conducted research, it can be concluded that there are both favourable external conditions and prospects for the intermodal transport development in Poland.