Single wagonload (SWL) transport is still a major component in numerous European states transport systems and in the logistics of different economic sectors such as steel, chemical industry and automotive. However changing framework conditions and increasingly demanding market requirements have led to dramatic market losses and even to complete shutdown of SWL business in some countries. As this business segment has been evaluated as important for specific transports in a European co-modal transport system also in the future, significant improvements are needed. The ViWaS partners believe that for the success of SWL the following two issues might be crucial: (1) A viable SWL system is highly dependent on the critical mass. Thereby all options have to be considered to secure a high utilisation of the trains operated on the trunk lines, including a combined production with intermodal loads. (2) Only comprehensive and complementary measures are able to sustainably improve and preserve the European SWL systems in accordance with increasingly demanding market requirements. The ViWaS project will follow such a comprehensive approach; therefore aiming at the development ofMarket driven business models and production systems to secure the critical mass needed for SWL operations,New ways for “Last mile” infrastructure design and organisation to raise cost efficiency,Adapted SWL technologies to improve flexibility and equipment utilisation,Advanced SWL management procedures & ICT to raise quality, reliability and cost efficiencyThe applicability of these solutions and their effects will be proved on the basis of pilot business cases (by demonstrations).Thereby important findings will be gained for a European wide implementation of developed solutions.The ViWaS consortium includes railway operators (SBB Cargo, Fret SNCF, Bentheimer Eisenbahn), infrastructure providers (Interporto Bologna / IB innovation, technology partners (Eureka, Wascosa) and consulting/ scientific partners (ETH Zürich, TU Berlin, HaCon, NEW OPERA).