There are no local GHG emissions other than by trucks servicing the terminal, and noise level is very low. Electro-mechanical parts and plant automation software for load/unload were subjected to an exhaustive stress test under the control of an independent entity with specific knowledge of automated plants: Functionality and performance of all components were analysed and data collected and validated. The two main applications of Metrocargo are distributed intermodality and Port to dry-port shuttling. The concept is to set a system similar to the passenger network, as opposed to current point-to-point container trains. Similarities to passenger transport are outlined in the following table:  Terminals include:   The transport over Metrocargo network is managed by the central control SW, with functions of:   According to all studies, tests, simulations and business plans the system will be efficient and economically sound (it will be profitable offering lower prices than road transport with comparable delivery time). The general business scheme foresees:   The efficiency of Metrocargo equipment is well exploited when fast processing of full trains is required, as in shuttling between ports and dry-ports and at gauge-change stations, as at the EC borders with Spain, Russia and Ukraine, and similarly at the Russia–China border. Performance depends on many factors. Test results projected that a properly dimensioned installation can handle yearly handling up to 600.000 TEUs. Cost calculations indicate that the handling cost per unit are competitive versus current rates. The operation being all electrified and very silent, environmental impacts come almost exclusively from the trucks in and out the intermodal centre, which is unavoidable in all cases. MIT is a European Project partly funded by the EC: the object of MIT is promotion and dissemination, carrying out market studies in several EU member states and subsequent market plans. The goal is to exploit the Metrocargo features in terms of installation and operating costs, limited use of dock area, safety and environmental impact. Another objective of MIT is to implement specific technical improvements and the scaling up from single prototypal unit to full industrial installation, developing typical plant design and SW applications to automate and optimise the work flow and provide interfaces with operators and external systems. The partners of MIT are the following:  ILog – Genova, Italy (ILOG)  ILOG is an engineering company established in 2004 expressly to develop Metrocargo, an innovative concept of intermodal shipment based on setting up a network of terminals connected by scheduled trains with fixed composition.