ACTIS - Advanced Cargo Transport Information Services
Overview
Background & policy context:
Movement of freight in Greece mainly depends on roadway transport. Trucks account for 97% of the total domestic freight modal share. Moreover, the road freight sector undertakes 46.3% of the value of exports and 42.9% of the value of imports and represents 7% of the country’s GDP. These statistics highlight the need to address inefficiencies and improve the performance of the trucking industry. Despite the remarkable achievements that have been accomplished, the trucking industry still suffers from inefficiencies in productivity, capacity and environmental sustainability, lack of coordination and fragmentation of activities. A significant percent of trucks, for instance, has been recorded to return empty after delivering goods. Furthermore, 55% of the loaded truck trips are estimated to operate below their loading capacity. The use of auctions and brokerage services in transport is currently not a common practice and transport is typically arranged in a traditional way.
Objectives:
ACTIS aims to bridge this gap and leverage existing international practice and state-of-the-art in freight transport research. More specifically, it introduces into the Greek market a technologically advanced freight exchange platform, enhanced with innovative capabilities and services. Furthermore, the ACTIS Internet based platform comprises a cargo brokerage and freight exchange system as its basic functionality, and includes routing and fleet management applications, operating cost estimates and pricing of transport services, monitoring and control of the transport services being provided, etc. This system intends to become a unique industry oriented support tool for companies seeking and companies providing road freight transport services. Additionally, ACTIS addresses inefficiencies and improves the performance, competitiveness and viability of the road freight sector.
Methodology:
Project ACTIS is structured around four Working Packages, each containing several tasks and interrelated activities, comprising basic and industrial research and experimental development. The rationale of the project is that products will be developed in small increments, following the sprint plan as defined by the SCRUM framework. Within short work cycles, product increments become available for review and testing, therefore feedback from stakeholders (carriers and shippers) is incorporated in the development phase on a frequent basis.
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