AutoMoTIF focuses on the development of strategies, business and governance models, regulatory recommendations and synergies that will enable the integration and interoperability of automated transport systems and solutions towards the operational automation of multimodal cargo flows and logistics supply chains in the intra-European network. It will list the gaps – both regulatory and technological – that are currently identified in automated transport technologies and logistics operations between modes and hubs through the analysis of automation demand and supply in multimodal transportation (users vs market).
The project follows an inclusive model to ensure that user and community needs are properly addressed and innovations are aligned with their expectations. UCs and scenarios focus on real challenges and gaps in seamless automated logistics that are being simulated in real settings and different geographical locations. The results of the UCs will be used to set up a master scenario addressing the end-to-end delivery of goods using highest degree of automation possible. The outcomes from current practices are also analysed, leading to the assessment of benefits that can be gained by exploiting automated transport means to seamless multimodal automatic cargo transport and vice versa.
These benefits are defined and analysed based on their social, environmental and economic impact, such as decreased emissions and congestion, improved working conditions and safety, as well as reduced logistics and freight transport costs, with the SSH aspects being a priority. AutoMoTIF contributes to the enhancement of synergies among sectors and stakeholders, following European priorities, strategic partnerships, such as CCAM, Zero Emission Waterborne Transport and EU Rail JU to ensure that transferability of expected outcomes.
The overall objectives of AutoMoTIF are the following:
- Define operational automation requirements for seamless multimodal automatic freight transport to address technological gaps in hubs’ automation while reducing social and environmental impacts and costs in multimodal freight transport and logistics.
- Complete simulations based on different use cases to investigate the potential benefits of operational automation vs current standard flows and operations in different transport modes.
- Assess the benefits and impacts of integrated operational automation.
- Define strategies to reduce the investment cost of implementation of automated solutions for logistics and multimodal freight transport.
- Provide recommendations for possible regulatory and policy actions.
