Several cloud related projects, mainly in the FP7, aimed at developing or testing new vehicle-related solutions.
In the field of logistics nodes, (cyber)security and protection are fundamental aspects to guarantee their correct performance.
As key infrastructures in world trade, they are susceptible to all kinds of attacks or dangers, such as terrorist attacks or those related to the illegal trafficking of people or drugs. In addition, the development of new technologies and information and communication systems has generated another type of threat to logistics nodes: intangible threats, known as cyber-attacks.Optimal planning of schedules, yard operations and terminals are objectives pursued by all logistics nodes, leading to reduced inefficiencies (reductions in downtimes, bottlenecks, costs, environmental impacts, etc.).
As a strong response to meet the new needs that have emerged in the organisations that interact and ultimately comprise the logistics nodes, a large number of projects have addressed the way forward for these infrastructures in the future.
The focus has mainly been on opportunities for collaboration, management and governance and new business models, all involving a wide range of actors, both public and private.
Logistics nodes are points at which cargo is transferred between modes of transport, handling different types of cargo and using specialised machinery. In order to be able to carry out such complex operations and improve cargo handling capacity, technological advances and innovation have been developing for years in the field of machinery and transport.
Projects that developed outcomes with particular relevance to the “infrastructure” layer (= 3 projects) are: ARCC, FR8RAIL III, MOSES.
Projects that developed outcomes with particular relevance to the “transport services” layer (= 10 projects) are: CREAM, GET SERVICE, INTERFACE, LessThanWagonLoad, NEWS, NOVIMAR, RETRACK, Smart-Rail, ViWaS, TIGER DEMO.
Projects that developed outcomes with particular relevance to the “logistics” layer (= 4 projects) are: GIFTS, LOGISTAR, SYNCHRO-NET, TELLISYS.
The development, testing and demonstration of the
Physical Internet is among the EU priorities for research and innovation in the
field of logistics following the
recommendations from ALICE. Many projects have been funded addressing different
aspects of the Physical internet. Some projects, e.g., MODULUSHCA, ATROPINE,
CLUSTERS 2.0, SENSE and ICONET
were funded to develop the basis and increase credibility on the benefits
to advance towards the concept of PI. For example, ICONET project
developed 4 case studies addressing senior decision makers within logistics
service providers, logistics service users, trade organisations, professional
institutes, government regulators and policymakers demonstrating the benefits
of the Physical Internet.
This section presents the main results and outcomes stemming from the projects that have made contributions to development of the PI concept. Those projects have contributed all of the areas included by the PI roadmap, from logistics nodes to governance models. Those projects laid a foundation to the research and development of PI in Europe and beyond. Those projects have not only significantly developed theoretical models, tested and evaluated them in real-life conditions in order to provide tangible benefits of application of the PI concept, thus generating extensive impacts on the logistics sector.
Several Horizon
Europe projects starting
in 2022 and 2023 will advance the implementation of the PI roadmap.
