PLANET is a project co-funded by the Horizon
2020 Program of the European Commission, starting on the 1st of June 2020, that
goes beyond strategic transport studies and ICT for transport research, by
demonstrating the emerging concepts (Physical Internet) and technologies (IoT,
Blockchain) in three EU-global real-world corridors (China - EU- US). The
project, which is scheduled to last 36 months, will focus in two key R&D
pillars:
A Geo-economics approach,
modelling and specifying the dynamics of new trade routes and their impacts on
logistics infrastructure and operations, with specific reference to TEN-T;
An EU-Global network enablement
through demonstration of disruptive concepts and technologies (IoT, Blockchain
and PI, 5G, 3D printing, autonomous vehicles /automation, hyperloop) which can
shape its future and address its shortcomings.
The project will liaise closely with the
European Technology Platform ALICE and its developments and projects to join
forces with all projects in this area. PLANET goes beyond strategic transport studies,
and ICT for transport research, by rigorously modelling, analysing,
demonstrating & assessing their interactions and dynamics thus, providing a
more realistic view of the emerging transport and logistics environment.
Three Living Labs will contribute to the
strategic analysis of global flows, the analysis of corridor infrastructure
issues, and the investigation of integration of the respective global corridor
with the TEN-T. Furthermore, all Living Labs will investigate innovative ways
to coordinate complex supply chains through multimodal corridors involving
private and public stakeholders.
List and short description of relevant pilots/living labs or test
beds.
LL1 will
evaluate how new technologies (IoT, AI and blockchain) and concepts (Physical
Internet) can improve processes, operations and efficiency along the
door-to-door transport chains linking the Maritime Silk Road with EU internal
corridors. LL1 will be divided in to two main use cases:
The
first use case will focus on import/export door-to-door transport chain of
containerized cargo between China and Spain and will evaluate how the
combination of IoT (for real-time monitoring of logistics assets), AI (for
better forecasts and intelligent decisions based on machine learning
algorithms) and blockchain (for paperless transactions and the register of
transport events), can contribute to a better management of the transport
chain. The development of the PI paradigm will be investigated, where
intelligent logistic nodes or hubs play a key role in transport decisions and
are optimized based on real time events/information and historical data.
The
second use case will focus on warehouse operations and will explore how new
IoT, AI, AR and automation technologies can contribute to the development of
intelligent automated logistics nodes of the EGTN/PI network. This use case
will complement Use Case 1, particularly on how to integrate smart Warehouse
Nodes for EGTN routing decisions, ultimately creating PI Warehousing Nodes. The
extended level of potential automation will be represented through simulation.
LL2 will
focus on dynamic and Synchromodal management of TEN-T & intercontinental
flows promoting rail transport and utilising the Port of Rotterdam as the
principal smart EGTN Node coordinating the rail focused transport chains
linking China through Rotterdam to/from USA, and the Rhine-Alpine Corridor
destinations. LL2 will include 3 main use cases:
The
first use case will focus on Synchromodality in a Blockchain enabled Platform
utilising advanced IoT, supporting PoR customers & communities to create
the best multi-modal alternatives for logistics solutions within the LL2
corridors43.
The
second use case will focus on investigating Eurasian rail freight expansion in
the LL2 corridor. LL2 will also utilize use case 1 tools to investigate freight
flow synergies and Blockchain innovation to support integration with European
RFCs.
The
third use case will analyse LL2 corridor flows and assess the implication for
Port of Rotterdam and TEN-T infrastructure, extending results with data from
EGTC and use cases 1 and 2. The use of the PLANET tools by Port of Rotterdam
and “Interregional Alliance for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor EGTC’’ is directed at
strategic corridor planning and in use by EGTC members in the context of use
case1.
LL3 will
focus on streamlining logistic processes in flows from China to Europe along
the Silk Road by implementing IoT technologies (based on the EPCIS platform)
and GS1 standards that facilitate transmission of data between the partners
involved in the e-commerce operations. LL3 aims at:
Standardising information flows and digitalising interactions
between actors within the network (Alibaba, China Post, Polish National
Post);
Providing access to real time information on cargo coming from
China to Poland along the entire supply chain through application of IoT
and EPCIS to monitor supply chain events and support operational
optimisation;
Facilitating effective co-modal end-to end transport within EU’s
internal rail network.
