The EU-funded FOR-FREIGHT project aims to help realize logistics green transition by maximizing the utilization of multimodal freight transport capacity and reducing the average cost and footprint of freight transport. This will be achieved through the development of a cutting-edge, standards-based community platform (FOR-FREIGHT platform) that integrates with existing freight transport and logistics (T&L) systems across selected supply chains.
Based on specific sector and market needs, the FOR-FREIGHT platform identifies concurrent gaps in existing intermodal operational interfaces and defines generalized solving processes to optimally solve them using a comprehensive technology-driven solvers library. Each solving process consists of a sophisticated, unique pipeline of solvers (e.g. services, digital twins, IoTs, etc.), systems already operational in the supply chain and external data sources. This enables accurate and timely exchange of crucial information along supply chains leading to effective and sustainable management of goods and freight flows in airports, ports, inland terminals and various logistics nodes.
The project engages world-leading T&L stakeholders specializing in different modes of transportation and brings them together with leading SW and technology developers, research organizations and innovative SMEs. This bottom-up collaboration drives the deployment of three beyond state-of-the-art (SotA) multimodal trial facilities in Spain, Greece and Romania to enable real life trials in operational environments covering heterogeneous multimodal scenarios, namely, seaport to logistics hub and last mile delivery, seaport to airport (airfreight) and river-port to rail cargo:
• Spain – Valencia Trial Site (Seaport to last mile): Blockchain & Digital Twins to support decision making in multimodal transport combined with Subway-Based Network for sustainable last mile distribution.
• Greece – Athens Trial Site (Airport to Seaport): End-to-end optimization of transport flows between the Athens airport and the Piraeus Seaport with DSS and real-time monitoring & control capabilities.
• Romania – Danube Trial Site (River port to Rail): Fluent information on transport flow allowing prior planning and resource optimization between the river port and the warehouse hub via railway network.
FOR-FREIGHT’s continuous commitment to operational up-scaling is further enhanced by setting up a “common ground” for T&L communication and standardization by expanding TIC4.0’s data model to hinterland actors (warehouse, dry port, airport, land transport operators).
The project's unique value propositions are designed to transform the freight transport landscape, offering a range of benefits for industry players and society alike. This comprehensive approach aims to enable more effective and sustainable management of goods and freight flows across various transportation hubs, such as airports, ports, inland terminals, and different logistics nodes. The project considers the requirements and interests of all stakeholders, ensuring a holistic perspective that integrates economic, environmental, and social aspects.