Scaling up logistics innovations supporting freight transport decarbonisation in an affordable way

Taking into account the development of the common European mobility data space, proposals will pilot, demonstrate and scale up systemic collaborative solutions regarding logistics nodes, multimodal logistics networks connectivity, business and governance models.

The focus will be on both digital and physical interoperability as well as on the adoption of zero-emission vehicles/vessels.

Proposals will have to research and demonstrate in a structured and systemic way all of the following points:

• Demonstrate at least 10 working open standard processes, procedures and services across several logistics nodes providing seamless access to users. Processes, procedures, and services are expected to have an open access definition and scalability aspects need to be addressed.
• Develop and demonstrate further compatibility and interoperability of the full range of standardised multimodal transport units (from containers to boxes), also across transport modes.
• To achieve scalable multimodal logistics networks connectivity, demonstrate models and processes, supported by Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, etc., which can increase utilisation of assets and resources in actual logistics service providers’ networks dynamically. These models should also consider how to increase the adoption of automated and zero-emission vehicles/vessels and the use of rail and inland waterways through multimodal solutions.
• Demonstrate tools, technologies and processes to achieve different types of flows compatibility (e.g. through shared standard boxes) and synchro-modal solutions over the logistics service providers’ networks, involving shippers and retailers to that purpose.
• Demonstrate the benefit (e.g. GHG reductions vs increased operational costs) of decentralised inventory positions in the pooled logistics network allowing low speed multimodal transport for (re-)positioning stock levels and answering short term lead times with closer to consumer inventory positions (e.g. full visibility of inventory positions in retail networks extended to suppliers and logistics service providers).
• Test and demonstrate sound business and governance models and rules (including organisational change requirements) for resource-sharing across logistics networks, to ensure operational efficiency of freight movements irrespective of mode, nodal operations and freight characteristics.
• Test and demonstrate the functionalities and relevance of the data sharing framework, serving for optimisation of the logistic system, including through the establishment of an appropriate semantic model and its components, such as for instance Digital Twins with specific algorithms allowing for predictive planning of logistic related events. Synergies for rail will need to be sought with the EU-Rail Programme projects implementing the Transversal Topic on Digital enablers and Flagship Area 5^[3].
• Develop and demonstrate scalability of the proposed solutions providing open access mechanisms and low thresholds to the system of logistics networks. Consider realising visualisation and simulation models and tools to show the practical use of collaborative models for the various types of stakeholders and the potential benefits based on actual cases. Develop specific actions to encourage, facilitate and ensure the access of SMEs and smaller players.
• Measure and demonstrate the benefits in terms of use of resources, affordability of proposed solutions, throughput capacity and environmental impact of the scaled up horizontal collaboration among logistics networks (system of logistics networks).

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries have to describe if and how the use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS are incorporated in the proposed solutions. In addition, if the activities proposed involve the use and/or development of AI-based systems and/or techniques, the technical and social robustness of the proposed systems is to be described in the proposal.

Destination

Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods (2023/24)

This Destination includes activities addressing safe and smart mobility services for passengers and goods.

Europe needs to manage the transformation of supply-based transport into safe, resilient and sustainable transport and demand-driven, smart mobility services for passengers and goods. Suitable research and innovation will enable significant safety, environmental, economic and social benefits by reducing accidents caused by human error, decreasing traffic congestion, reducing energy consumption and emissions of vehicles, increasing efficiency and productivity of freight transport operations. To succeed in this transformation, Europe’s ageing (and not always sustainable) transport infrastructure needs to be prepared for enabling cleaner and smarter operations.

Europe needs also to maintain a high-level of transport safety for its citizens. Resilience should be built in the transport systems to prevent, mitigate and recover from disruptions. Research and innovation will underpin the three safety pillars: technologies, regulations and human factors.

This Destination contributes to the following Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations (KSO):

• C: Making Europe the first digitally enabled circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy through the transformation of its mobility, energy, construction and production systems;
• A: Promoting an open strategic autonomy[[ ‘Open strategic autonomy’ refers to the term ‘strategic autonomy while preserving an open economy’, as reflected in the conclusions of the European Council 1 – 2 October 2020.]] by leading the development of key digital, enabling and emerging technologies, sectors and value chains to accelerate and steer the digital and green transitions through human-centred technologies and innovations.

It covers the following impact areas:

• Industrial leadership in key and emerging technologies that work for people;
• Smart and sustainable transport.

The expected impact, in line with the Strategic Plan, is to contribute to “Safe, seamless, smart, inclusive, resilient and sustainable mobility systems for people and goods thanks to user-centric technologies and services including digital technologies and advanced satellite navigation services”, notably through:

• Accelerating the implementation of innovative connected, cooperative and automated mobility (CCAM) technologies and systems for passengers and goods (more detailed information below).
• Further developing a multimodal transport system through sustainable and smart long-haul and urban freight transport and logistics, upgraded and resilient physical and digital infrastructures for smarter vehicles and operations, for optimised system-wide network efficiency (more detailed information below).
• Drastically decreasing the number of transport accidents, incidents and fatalities towards the EU’s long-term goal of moving close to zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050 even in road transportation (Vision Zero) and increase the resilience of transport systems (more detailed information below).