Capgemini, the international consulting and technology company, has issued a brochure describing its Mobility Service Provider concept, which will soon make optimal use of technology to ease intermodal travel.

They believe that in the very near future we are likely to be using some kind of information and communication device to handle all of our travel arrangements.

Suppliers will be able to manage the full travel chain, and will be able to facilitate provision of information and tickets. Prices and deals will be geared to the needs of individual travellers.

As examples of intermodal travel chains as they exist today they cite the Paris - Brussels code-share and the UK website http://transportdirect.info.

They believe that transportation companies and online service providers are likely to be the leaders in this field.

The brochure can be found on Capgemini's website.

Bombardier Transportation and the German Aerospace Centre DLR are cooperating in research to create the next generation of high speed trains. These are expected to be more efficient and even more climate-friendly.

DLR (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt) has a unique range of research tools including tunnel and crosswind simulation facilities. Crosswind dynamics are thought by DLR to be particularly important for the double-deck high-speed trains they plan to develop.

See DLR's website for more information.