Overall goal
The aim of the LogIKTram project is to implement the necessary information and communication technology (ICT) foundations for future freight haulage in streetcars and light rail vehicles in urban and regional transport.
In this context, logistics on the last mile is also to be supported with efficient handling and transport procedures, while important elements are to be tested using simulations.
The following sub-objectives will be achieved:
Logistics and operator concept
Suitable commercial logistics and delivery concepts should sustainably unburden the public, urban and regional space. Here, the requirements from traffic control and from the planning and control perspective of the companies are taken into account.
Requirements for ICT and the technical infrastructure
An ICT platform is needed for the control of the concept and the communication of the involved companies. The requirements for this platform are based on use cases of the logistics and operator concept. Likewise, requirements for the technical implementation (requirements for vehicles, track, loading and transshipment technology) as well as available technologies for transshipment and transport are defined. Aspects of non-discriminatory access to the railway infrastructure are also considered.
ICT platform
The ICT platform coordinates the transport of goods carried out by rail with the freight tram as well as the necessary transshipments of goods. To evaluate the LogIKTram concept, the platform is coupled with simulations. Thus, the interaction of vehicle, automated load handling and journeys as well as the logistical and railway operational planning and control processes can be studied.
Load carrier, handling, and vehicle system
In preparation for transferring the concept into a practical application as a “freight tram”, a vehicle system that enables the smooth technical integration of freight transport into the existing network for rail-bound public transport (local public transport) will be designed. This includes a load carrier concept and the vehicle platform with loading and unloading technology as well as coupling technology for merging with passenger transport. Critical elements of the concepts are to be tested and demonstrated in the form of a prototype or simulatively. Requirements resulting from the automated or partially automated operation of city hubs will also be considered.
Impact research and public relations
For long-term inner-city and regional transport planning and as transport planning preparation for implementing the logistics concepts, the effect of freight transport on the rail and road networks are to be determined. For this purpose, transport demand models are used that cover both delivery traffic and passenger traffic and their interactions in the study region. The effects of different solutions can thus be analyzed in various scenarios.
People should be informed about the concepts early on. Numerous information activities will take place during the project to ensure the transfer of technology and knowledge locally as well as to other regions, while continuously involving the public.
Result
The project result is a prototypical implementation of a freight tram system based on a two-system light rail derived from the “Karlsruhe model”, which already have been combining city streetcar routes with railway lines in the surrounding area for almost 30 years. Selected logistics companies are included and embedded into a functional ICT platform. A study of the impact on the overall transport system will also be made available.
The LogIKTram concept covers all three business areas relevant to urban logistics:
- B2B:
Delivery from industry to supply to industry, and delivery from industry or (wholesale) trade to supply (retail) trade. - B2C:
Delivery from trade and industry to supply end customers (consumers); this includes delivery into the city as well as within and out of the city. - Returns and disposal:
Return of reclaimed freight and disposal of recyclables that can fed back into the production and logistics process.
The Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (AVG – Alb Valley Transport Company) is providing a light rail vehicle for the project, which is the first demonstration object to be specially converted for the requirements of transporting freight. Before actual real operation can begin, further issues still need to be clarified, such as traffic concepts, rail operations, and the design of handling processes.
