E-Freight

FACT SHEET NO.: Cat-No.7 / Subcat-No.7.3-1

7. Research and innovation

7.3 Technology: transport information systems, management & services

E-Freight

Currently, there are different documents being used for freight transportation within Europe according to the different modes of transport. This procedure is expensive and entails administrative costs for multimodal transport. Hence, the enhancement of multimodal freight transport is one of the main objectives of the European transport policy which should be supported by the introduction of E-freight, as a procedure of handling all processes related to the movements of goods by all modes in real time and paperless. Moreover, the improvement of freight transport management will simplify the identification and location of freight regardless to the transportation mode. As a transport policy measure within the frame of multimodal transport of goods, the 'development of E-freight' supporting technologies (RFID, DSRC – Dedicated short range communication) overall aims to simplify the information exchange of freight and transport in general.
This will be possible by the provision of information for economic operators to address/control the goods and vehicles only at one place, which requires the connection and completion of networks between administrations and businesses. Hence, the vision of 'tracking and tracing' can be build on a paper-free (electronic) information, which associates the physical flow of goods and its total journey for all modes of transport, also covering the exchange of content-related data for regulatory and commercial purposes (single transport document (electronic waybill)). In this respect, the necessary condition for E-freight is the implementation of standard interfaces within the various transport modes and the securing of intermodality across modes. One of the main technologies being essential for the successful implementation of E-Freight is the deployment of the RFID (Fadio Frequency Identification) technology and the GALILEO satellite positioning systems. [1] Whereas the definition of "E-freight" is partly different compared to "intelligent cargo", both concepts are almost equal and have the same objectives.
In addition, E-freight adresses the following inefficencies of freight transport information:
- lack of interoperability- duplication of information submission
- lack of multimodal booking tools
- lack of integration of information.

The EURIDICE project (European Inter-Disciplinary Research on Intelligent Cargo for Efficient, Safe and Environment-friendly Logistics), funded by the European Commission, intends to fill the gap between the technical feasibility and adoption of ICT (Information and Communication technology) services platforms for goods mobility. In the EURIDICE vision "Intelligent cargo" connects itself to logistic service providers, industrial users and authorities to exchange the specific transport related information. Expected benefits will be available for logistics stakeholders at all levels: Carriers and logistic operators, industry and supply companies, public organizations and citizens.[6]
SafeSeaNet and VTMIS (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Systems) for maritime transport
RIS (River Information Services) for inland waterways,
ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) and TAF-TSI (Telematics Applications for Freight) for rail.

- Capability to view and compare online information on the services provided by the freight transport operators.
- Administrative simplification across transport modes: administrative data can also be used for B2B communication.
- Standardisation of information exchanges relating to location and other cargo information.
- Development of secure ways of making supply chain information available on-line to customs, other regulatory authorities and businesses.
- Development of practical ways of using positioning and communication technologies (e.g. RFID, DSRC
- Dedicated short range Communication).
- Improved integration and interoperability of computer applications used by different stakeholders involved in freight transport.
- Synergies with e-Customs, e-Maritime and other related EU initiatives. [all 4]

Increasing the multimodal transport of freight by optimal management of transport and better information support to operators, carriers and customers.

No change.

No change.

No direct change. Likely that measure will positively influence the choice of route (optimisation).

No change.

Measure does not directly aim to affect the loading factor, but an increase of loading factor is likely.

Measure will improve the multimodal transport of goods and strengthens rail and inland waterway transport (Road freight load factor is expected to increase). Hence, the energy usage for the freight transportation will decrease and the energy efficiency to transport the same volume of goods will increase.

[1] European Commission (2011): Commission Staff Working document . Accompanying the White Paper - Roadmap to a single European transport area. SEC(2011)391. Brussels
[2] European Commission (2007): Commission Staff Working document . Accompanying document to the the Communication from the Commission. Freight transport Logistics Action Plan. Impact assessment. SEC (2007)1320
[3] European Commission (2007): Action Plan on freight logistics. COM(2007)607. Brussels
[4] E-FREIGHT is an Integrated project within the EU's 7th Framework programme. Online: http://www.efreightproject.eu (15.01.2012).
[5] European Commission (2008): Accompanying document to the Action Plan of the deployment of intelligent transport systems in Europe. Impact assessment. SEC(2998)3083
[6] European Commission - EURIDICE project (2009): European Inter-Disciplinary Research on Intelligent Cargo for Efficient, Safe and Environmentfriendly Logistics. Funded by the EC under FP7. available at http://www.euridice-project.eu/
[7] DG Move (2012). Communication on e-freight. http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/planned_ia/docs/2013_move_001_e_freight.pdf