Brief Explanation of the Concept of Less-Than-Truckload LTL Railway Transportation

Overview of Rail Less-Than-Truckload LTL Transport

Rail less-than-truckload LTL transport is a logistics service model based on the railway network, primarily targeting goods that are relatively small in weight and volume and cannot meet the requirements for full-carriage transportation. In this mode of transport, the goods from multiple shippers are consolidated into the same train carriages for delivery, thereby achieving effective resource utilization and cost reduction. This transport method not only meets the logistics needs of small and medium-sized enterprises but also provides convenient freight options for individuals.

From the perspective of the transport process, rail LTL transport generally includes several stages collection of goods, centralized storage, scheduled transport, and final distribution. During the collection phase, logistics companies gather scattered small batches of goods through various channels; subsequently, temporary storage and sorting of these goods are completed at railway stations; then, these goods are arranged into specific train cars to be transported alongside those of other shippers to large stations or distribution centers near the destination; finally, upon arrival at the destination, relevant units are responsible for unloading the goods and delivering them to the consignees.

In recent years, with the sustained rapid development of China's economy and the rapid rise of the e-commerce industry, the logistics sector has encountered unprecedented opportunities and challenges. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, China's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 43.97 trillion RMB in 2025, growing by 6.7%. Among them, the proportion of online retail sales has been rising year by year, becoming one of the key forces driving economic growth. However, the rapidly developing e-commerce market has also put higher demands on the traditional logistics system, especially in terms of last-mile delivery efficiency and service quality.

To better adapt to changes in market demand, railway departments have increased their investment in LTL transport services in recent years and introduced a series of innovative measures. For example, China Railway Corporation launched the High-Speed Rail Express project at the beginning of 2025, piloting high-speed rail express services along the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail line. This project fully utilizes the advantages of high-speed rail trains, such as fast running speed and high punctuality, to achieve quick direct transport from the shipping location to the receiving location. It also introduced a door-to-door full-service model, where professional teams provide a one-stop solution from when the customer places an order until the goods reach the designated location, greatly enhancing user experience.

Meanwhile, with the progress of information technology, intelligent technologies have been widely applied in the field of rail LTL transport. For instance, using Internet of Things IoT technology and big data analysis methods, real-time monitoring of cargo status, optimization of scheduling plans, and prediction of demand trends can be achieved, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing costs. Additionally, the application of new identification technologies such as electronic tags and QR code scanning enables each piece of cargo to be accurately tracked and located, ensuring the safety and transparency of the entire supply chain.

Nevertheless, rail LTL transport still faces some pressing issues that need to be addressed. First is the lagging infrastructure construction, as parts of remote areas lack comprehensive railway network coverage, making it difficult to enjoy high-quality services. Second is the pressure brought about by intensified market competition, as road transport, with its advantages of flexibility and timeliness, is capturing market share. Lastly, there are environmental considerations-balancing economic benefits with ecological benefits is also a direction that future development needs to focus on.

In conclusion, rail LTL transport plays an irreplaceable role in promoting commodity circulation and supporting economic development. In the future, with continuous improvement in technological levels and increasing policy support, this field will undoubtedly broader prospects for development.