The Foundations Framework of the Physical Internet is centered around interconnectivity, enabled through modularization and the standardization of interfaces and protocols. The deliverable details the three interconnectivity dimensions: (1) Physical, (2) Digital and (3) Universal upon which a Physical Internet system is built. There is an extended literature survey of standards and related projects to the Physical Internet. The research aligns to ALICE’s vision for a transport system supporting sustainable and efficient logistics towards the Physical Internet motivated by the SENSE project.
For Physical Interconnectivity, the state-of-the art analysis and the review of existing models and standards focus on current and emerging trends in PI Containers (all packaging levels) and on the PI hubs (bundling, automation, multimodal environment).
The Digital Interconnectivity encompasses the concepts of open systems, encapsulation, standard smart interfaces and standard collaborative protocols. It ensures that physical entities, constituents and factors can seamlessly exchange meaningful information across the PI among others tracking and monitoring of objects, message passing among virtual agents and human actors and visibility about the state of demand, offer and flow.
Universal interconnectivity is the key to making the Physical Internet open, global, efficient and sustainable system. Universal interconnectivity in the Physical Internet involves the exploitation of encapsulation, interfaces and protocols including Internet of Things (IoT) automation.