Speaker
Description
Self-operating transportation has been around for many years, but lately the speed of development has increased due to technological breakthroughs within several fields. The maritime domain has also become part of this and the aim to have autonomous vessel sailing, in commercial operations is coming closer. Together with the parallel development on land and in the air, the whole transportation sector is in a fundamental change.
A supply chain use transportation in several different modality, waterways, roads railways and oceans all serviced with different transportation systems. For an autonomous system to be cost effective and become competitive with traditional systems it must streamline the whole supply chain. The transportation hubs and transhipment areas used should also be automated and become autonomous.
One upcoming challenge regarding an automated and autonomous logistic transport is the intramodality issue. To maximise benefits of these autonomous transportation units, the transfer of cargo between them must be digitalized and automated. The transhipment hubs should be the centre for autonomous transport units where the systems automatically reallocated the incoming goods to the best suitable transportation unit available. These units will be cost efficient, have low emission and sophisticated surveillance sensors for an automated planning of maintenance.
System should be able to transfer goods from provider to customer without physical interaction by humans, and by this drastically reduce time and cost. Challenges with different automated systems, protocols and software must be solved. A seamless supply chain for the cargo including papers and manifests, is the goal.
A supply chain like this will need an intermodal Remote operating Centre (ROC). This will monitor the whole supply chain, control the flow and intervene if needed. A ROC manned by operators with competence of a multitude of transportation methods, will be able to control not only cargo flow but also movement of people, smart systems will plan all transportation needs, but also have contingency plans ready to be proactive for any upcoming challenges, like emptying a football stadium after a match, lasting longer due to the extra time.
Our research will investigate intermodal automation firstly on the sea-land connections in ports and terminals, with focus on small to medium sized one. We will look at technological challenges and opportunities, with these new systems, but at the same time integrate existing systems like traffic surveillance systems or planning tools. Also, educational changes in traditional professions like maritime, logistic, drivers and storage operators, will be addressed, the future needs the traditional operators with new and updated skills.
References
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| Keywords | mulit modality, autonomy, marine transportation |
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