Environmental agenda permeates all spheres of human activity, and rail transport is no exception. In an effort to defend its position, railway transport is adapting to changes, where environmental friendliness and sustainable development are increasingly important

Railroads play a crucial role in the Eurasian ITCs. Because of the speed and reliability of deliveries it provides, railway transportation is starting to compete with shipment by sea (advantage of speed) and air (advantage of cost). The competition with alternative routes has to be taken into account, whereas the strategy should be built around the available advantages of the existing routes and the complementary nature of others.