Objective
The main goal of this project is to set out the functional characteristics of an RTI based pan-European system of road freight operation in order to optimize efficiency, economic and other types of performance. To achieve this requires the development of strategies that would allow integrated freight and commercial fleet management, order processing and improved communication between the various actors involved in the European road freight.
The major objectives of the project the are to:
- define the scope and principal characteristics of a pan-European road freight operation system,
- investigate the feasibility of developing the above system,
- develop alternative strategies for the system's operation, based on informatics technology,
- specify the systems critical functions,
- evaluate all the options and alternative systems.
The research has investigated the possibility of setting strategies at government level for road transport informatics (RTI) applications in road freight operations (RFO). Alternative scenario were devised for the development of RFO operations over the next 20 years in Europe. For each scenario the most important RFO activities were identified. The possibility of serving these scenario specific activities by various RTI technologies was subsequently evaluated and relevant strategies developed.
The strategies were evaluated with respect to the applicability using criteria such as acceptability by users, costs and benefits, timing of applications, geographical differentiation of applications, etc. Subsequently, one strategy was selected by European wide application in the short and medium term which corresponded to a set of RTI activities serving specific RFO functions. The evolution of this RTI strategy in RFO was also studied taking into account its impacts on RFO and the expected problems in the dissemination of RTI applications. The role of market force as well as that of governments was carefully studied in this context.
Finally the possibility of a system architecture, was evaluated. It was concluded that, at present, an integrated road transport environment (IRTE) is not possible because of technical, political, economical and social constraints in different European countries. A system of 4-pre-IRTE's is suggested as the most preferable step towards that direction.
Road transport informatics (RTI) technologies are developed by industry but promoted both by industry and government (EEC, national governments). This research has investigated the possibility of setting strategies at government level for RTI applications in road freight operations (RFO). To achieve this, first alternative scenaria were devised for the development of RFO operations over the next 20 years in Europe. For each scenario the most important RFO activities were identified. The possibility of serving these scenario specific activities by various RTI technologies was subsequently evaluated and relevant strategies developed. Governments' stand against these strategies can be moderated through the application of various means and policies which constitute a different approach to strategy development for promoting technology innovation in RFO. These strategies were evaluated with respect to their applicability using criteria such as acceptability by users, costs and benefits, timing of applications, geographical differentiation of applications, etc. The research resulted in a proposed preferred strategy for the use of RTI in RFO throughout Europe.
Planned work includes:
- a structural phase (literature review, overall project definition),
- interviews with various "agents" or "actors", seeking opinions and case studies,
- analysis and evaluation of alternative strategies.
- alternative organisational structures and exploitation of RTI technology.
Main Deliverables:
Reports including a review of existing conditions, of the preferred strategy and of a recommended organisational structure for users.
Fields of science
Topic(s)
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Greece