Overview
The core of the BESTFACT concept is to extend existing best practice methodologies towards implementation strategies within an industrial environment. BESTFACT will not carry out research activities, but will focus on the co-ordination and integration of information and know-how on freight logistics solutions. Thus, BESTFACT aims to become an active ‘Single Window’ for freight logistics' best practices, contacts and policies.
BESTFACT will organise its work close to the main target groups: industrial stakeholders, administrations and researchers. Guidancewill be given to potential users to develop sustainable freight logistics solutions, especially focussing on issues of relevance for Eastern European regions. The methodology is designed to build on previous work and integrate current and future activities seamlessly. Thus, BESTFACT will focus on the coordination, consolidation and integration of information and know-how on freight logistics solutions.
The BESTFACT concept consists of the following four pillars:
- A dynamic working approach allowing continuous identification and analysis of best practices
- Developing and disseminating best practices that support and facilitate the implementation of ever-more sustainable freight logistics
- Setting up and implementing dissemination actions assisted by regional promotional, academic and industrial partners
- Establishing an evaluation process to benchmark best practice in freight logistics from a qualitative and quantitative perspective
- The approach that will be taken in BESTFACT is to set up a method and process for long-term, extended dissemination and knowledge about best practice in freight logistics which is complementary to previous, current and future activities in this field.
The objective of BESTFACT is to develop, disseminate and enhance the utilisation of best practices and innovations in freight logistics that contribute to meeting European transport policy objectives with regard to competitiveness and environmental impact.
BESTFACT builds up on the work of BESTUFS, PROMIT and BESTLOG and integrates four interrelated areas of the key freight logistics challenges the European Union is confronted with and creates coherence with the key actions of the Freight Logistics Action Plan: urban freight, green logistics and co-modality and eFreight.
Practical best practice handbooks as well as research and policy recommendations addressing new and additional policy tools will be provided.
BESTFACT will organise 10 cluster workshops and 3 conferences. Furthermore, a comprehensive knowledge management will be established to enlarge the knowledge basis and simplifying access to best practice. BESTFACT will be a neutral and open platform for any interested party.
BESTFACT will establish a robust and replicable methodology for collecting and processing best practices. Best practice is understood as the combination of three dimensions:
- the identification, evaluation and prioritising of relevant business cases.
- the credible knowledge management of best practices, and
- the utilisation and implementation within existing or new industrial realities.
The BESTFACT best practice methodology comprises a three-level approach that includes the set up of a comprehensive best practice inventory for which 150 cases will be analysed providing a general description. 60 in depth surveys will be made including a detailed analysis of the best practice cases. The development of best practices will be addressed in 4 best practice implementation actions stimulating modal shift on company or regional level, co-operation among stakeholders or the introduction of best practices into administrative procedures.