Inland Intermodal Terminals Location Criteria Evaluation: The Case of Croatia

Determining a suitable location for an intermodal terminal is a critical element of the terminal establishment process, a decision on which the functionality of the entire intermodal freight distribution chain depends. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the criteria used for deciding on suitable locations for intermodal terminals in Croatia. First, quality indicators of intermodal terminals were identified: flexibility, safety and security, reliability, time, and accessibility. Based on these quality indicators, and in compliance with the European traffic policy and efficient functioning of intermodal transport, location criteria were formed and evaluated: legislative, environmental, goods flows, spatial, technical-technological, and organizational. Each criterion is divided further into subcriteria and evaluated using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. The results of the study show that the criterion of goods flows has the most significant impact on the selection of the terminal location, followed by the spatial criterion. A position that connects to the European traffic corridor network is essential for a Croatian terminal's success.