Trends in intermodal transport: A bibliometric analysis of recent literature (2020-2024)

This paper presents a structured review of 137 peer-reviewed journal articles on intermodal transport design published between 2020 and 2024. The aim of the review is to highlight current research trends, thematic developments, and recent innovations within the field. A bibliometric and content-based analysis was conducted, including the evaluation of publication outlets, authorship patterns, funding sources, and keyword dynamics. Results show that academic interest in intermodal transport has remained stable in recent years, with strong attention to environmental concerns, and that collaborations among researchers have increased in time. The keyword analysis revealed a core set of well-established topics related to sustainability, transport planning, and simulation/optimization techniques, alongside a growing number of emerging terms focused on resilience, digital transformation, and technological innovation. Citation data further highlight the relevance of ICT-related themes and maritime transport. Overall, the study outlines a research domain that is both consolidated and in evolution, with future directions pointing toward digitalization and resilience of intermodal systems in uncertain environments. In line with these findings, the role of digitalization, resilience and simulation/optimization techniques could be deepened in future research activities.