Academic literature on the topic 'Synchromodalité'

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to offer an overview of the current state of research in a specific field of transport, namely synchromodality. This includes a conceptual discussion of this innovative transport concept to differentiate it from previous concepts as well as the identification of the antecedents, mechanisms and effects of synchromodality.Design/methodology/approachThe paper combines systematic and content analysis-based approaches to literature review to analyse and synthesise a final sample of 88 publications related to synchromodality.FindingsSynchromodality is a transport concept in its infancy which suffers from ambiguous definitions and a lack of theoretical grounding. The paper identifies four mechanisms which differentiate synchromodality from other transport concepts: real-time switching, integrated network planning, horizontal collaboration and mode-free booking. Seven technical and six managerial antecedents for these mechanisms of synchromodality are defined.Research limitations/implicationsExisting research on synchromodality is largely focused on technical antecedents (e.g. information and communication technology, sophisticated planning systems). Suggestions for further research include managerial problems such as business models or measures to induce a mental shift and trust.Originality/valueThis paper gives a structured overview of the research field of synchromodality and presents existing research from a content-focused perspective. It also indicates opportunities for future research and contributes to a generally accepted understanding of synchromodality.

Synchromodality is an emerging concept in supply chain management. A synchromodal supply chain can be defined as a multimodal transportation planning system, wherein the different agents work in an integrated and flexible way that enables them to dynamically adapt the transport mode based on real-time information from stakeholders, customers, and the logistic network. The potential of synchromodality for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is related to the nature of business. The FMCG market is characterized by relatively low margins and high turnover, which is especially important in export supply chains. However, for a company, it may be challenging to objectively evaluate the costs and benefits, not to mention the design of a synchronized supply chain. In order to facilitate the adoption of the concept and guide the practitioners, our study put forward the following research questions: What should be considered in incorporating synchromodality in the export supply chain for FMCG? How should companies approach tradeoffs among factors affecting the supply chain? To answer these questions, we propose an adaptable framework, which should be considered a primary contribution of our study. The framework incorporates the center of gravity model, mixed integer linear programming, and sensitivity analysis. The framework is validated using a real-world problem from a multinational FMCG company. The problem involves the optimal volume allocation and the selection of the most efficient transportation mode for inland freight. Our study demonstrates that incorporating synchromodality in the export supply chain could reduce the overall cost by 9% and enhance flexibility by allowing multiple modes of transportation.

The intermodal freight transportation is being discussed for decades as an alternative to the unimodal automobile transportation. However, it is still not a significant part of the total market of the freight transportation. A new and promising possibility for improvement the efficiency of the freight transportation systems is the synchromodal design of the transportation systems on the inside. A cornerstone for the synchromodality is the integrated view in the design and functioning of the intramodal transportation. With the synchromodal transportation we have a flexible and dynamic way of choosing the best transportation. Synchromodality can lead to a modal transition to a slower but more ecological ways of transport without compromising the cost or the quality. A prerequisite for synchromodal transportation is the ability to freely choose which transportation method to use and easily to switch from one method to another.

Synchromodalność (zsynchronizowana intermodalność) jest innowacyjną koncepcją w transporcie multimodalnym, która zakłada, że operator logistyczny po uprzednim ustaleniu ze zleceniodawcą głównych parametrów dostawy, takich jak np. cena, czas, współczynnik emisji CO2, może swobodnie wybrać, z jakich gałęzi i środków transportu skorzystać, oraz elastycznie zmieniać decyzję w zależności od sytuacji zaistniałej w procesie realizacji transportu. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest: 1) spojrzenie na synchromodalność jako na połączoną usługę (service connectivity) oferowaną w ramach innowacyjnego modelu mobilności frachtu, w którym wartości dla klienta i operatora logistycznego są zredefiniowane; 2) opracowanie założeń teoretycznych modelu Synchromodality-as-a-Service; 3) przedstawienie perspektyw rozwoju tej koncepcji w Polsce. Badanie obejmuje analizę literatury przedmiotu z zakresu synchromodalności. Ramy teoretyczne wyznaczają teoria innowacyjnych modeli biznesu i tworzenia wartości. W badaniu wykorzystano metodę dedukcji.

Slow steaming, i.e., the possibility to ship vessels at a significantly slower speed than their nominal one, has been widely studied and implemented to improve the sustainability of long-haul supply chains. However, to create an efficient symbiosis with the paradigm of synchromodality, an evolution of slow steaming called smart steaming is introduced. Smart steaming is about defining a medium speed execution of shipping movements and the real-time adjustment (acceleration and deceleration) of traveling speeds to pursue the entire logistic system’s overall efficiency and sustainability. For instance, congestion in handling facilities (intermodal hubs, ports, and rail stations) is often caused by the common wish to arrive as soon as possible. Therefore, smart steaming would help avoid bottlenecks, allowing better synchronization and decreasing waiting time at ports or handling facilities. This work aims to discuss the strict relationships between smart steaming and synchromodality and show the potential impact of moving from slow steaming to smart steaming in terms of sustainability and efficiency. Moreover, we will propose an analysis considering the pros, cons, opportunities, and risks of managing operations under this new policy.

This paper offers an empirical study to explore the relationship between transportation modalities and environmental concerns, promoting the adoption of synchromodality as a strategic pathway to achieving sustainable freight transport. The study uses a synchromodal freight transportation platform to analyze the impact of carbon tax policy on modal shift and environmental sustainability. The synchromodal platform is based on an optimization model using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), incorporating carbon tax as a surrogate measure for environmental costs. A sensitivity analysis is conducted across four distinct scenarios in a case study in the Great Lakes region, focusing on the Canada-US transborder trade. The results of this study illustrate the considerable potential for increasing the utilization of more environmentally sustainable transportation modes in this region. While the addition of carbon tax entails increased total transportation costs for each unit of cargo, the synchromodal-enabled modal shift promises to mitigate transportation’s negative externalities, including congestion, environmental impacts, and noise pollution. The results also highlight the role of synchromodality as a catalyst for sustainable freight transport decisions in the context of a carbon-conscious world.

The search for more sustainable freight transport has been the focus in the last decades. In this way, the concept of synchromodality was built considering the collaboration of shippers and logistic service providers to enable real-time switching between transport modes and mode-free transport bookings, encouraging more flexible and sustainable freight transportation. However, there are several challenges to its implementation in real life, which is the focus of this paper. To achieve this, in addition to a literature study, a case study was conducted in Flanders, using a combination of qualitative methods, i.e., focus groups (FG) and expert interviews, aiming to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Challenges such as real-time decision making, limited infrastructure capacity, and the need for stakeholder collaboration were emphasized. Expert insights highlight the need for a forecast-based approach to facilitate mode shift decisions, particularly from roadway to inland waterway transport (IWT). The analysis underscores the potential benefits of the proposed synchromodal technology while acknowledging the requirements needed to make it real.

The East-West Transport Corridor (EWTC) in the Southern part of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) has been chosen as a practical area for implementation of a novel transportation concept called synchromodality. The main expectations in developing synchromodal transport system are related to the improvement of the transport service level, modal shift and capacities utilization of transport hubs along this corridor. However, in the absence of identification of major factors influencing synchromodal system it is difficult to evaluate a potential benefit of implementation of this new transport concept. Our main goal in this paper was, on the basis of a review and using a specific questionnaire, to determine the main indicators impacting effectiveness of the synchromodal system. Compatibility of experts’ opinions was verified by using Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method. The paper will be useful for transport and logistics companies interested in moving towards synchromodal transport, as well as for future researchers. In the course of the research – using the Average Rank Transformation Into Weight (ARTIW) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods – it was determined that the normalized subjective weights of the five main criteria impacting synchromodality distributed in the following order: service quality, efficiency, infrastructure sufficiency, technical properties of terminals and interaction of technologies. In accordance with the Kendall’s concordance coefficient and consistency ratio values, expert opinions are consistent, which enabled the rankings of expert group averages and the eigenvector to take as a result of the task solution. The outcomes of the research presented in the paper have shown that service quality (transport time, service and waiting time, handling time, working hours, reliability and flexibility) is the most important indicator (criterion) impacting synchromodality. At the same time it is a big challenge for transport researchers because it requires to design and apply a qualitatively new mathematical models facilitating an establishment of an optimal synchromodal network and services along chosen transport corridor.

La synchromodalité est l'un des concepts les plus innovants et récents proposés par les chercheurs pour garantir une plus grande résilience et fiabilité dans la logistique d'aujourd'hui, en particulier lors de l'utilisation de modes de transport massifiés. Cependant, il semble qu'il n'existe pas de cadre bien défini pour structurer et guider sa recherche et sa mise en œuvre. Compte tenu de la forte dépendance de ce concept vis-à-vis des méthodes et technologies axées sur les données (en tant que principaux facilitateurs), il est nécessaire de combler cette lacune sous cet angle. Dans cette recherche, soutenue par la littérature dans le domaine de la logistique et aussi par les méthodes basées sur les données, une revue systématique de la littérature est réalisée pour éclaircir les ambiguïtés de la mise en œuvre de ce concept. Lors de cette revue, en considérant un cadre à quatre niveaux (stratégique, tactique, opérationnel, prise de décision en temps réel), la littérature sur la synchromodalité est analysée. Par la suite, à l'aide d'un cadre détaillé, l'utilisation de différentes technologies basées sur les données dans les différentes étapes de la prise de décision dans le domaine du transport synchromodal est discutée. Sur la base de cette revue, il est également compris que l'un des domaines qui nécessite davantage de recherches est la faisabilité économique et les avantages de la synchromodalité en ce qui concerne les coûts externes. Ainsi, dans cette thèse, ce sujet est également traité minutieusement en utilisant une méthode quantitative (en utilisant la programmation Python). Les résultats de ces deux approches utilisées dans cette thèse indiquent que le concept de synchromodalité est très bien adapté à la mise en œuvre et que son application peut être justifiée non seulement d'un point de vue environnemental mais aussi d'un point de vue économique. Cependant, il existe encore plusieurs axes de recherche qui doivent être considérés lors de la mise en œuvre de ce concept. À la fin, ces axes de recherche sont délimités pour assurer la continuité de la recherche académique dans ce domaine, et la faisabilité économique ainsi que les avantages environnementaux de ce concept sont également présentés pour rassurer les praticiens et les décideurs politiques sur le potentiel de ce concept<br>Synchromodality is one of the most innovative and recent concepts which has been put forth by researchers to guarantee more resilience and reliability in today’s logistics, especially when using massified modes of transport. However, it seems that there does not exist a well-defined framework to structure and guide its research and its implementation. Considering the high dependence of this concept on data-driven methods and technologies (as its main enablers), there is a need to address this gap from this point of view. In this research, backed by the literature in the field of logistics and also data-driven methods, a thorough Systematic Literature Review is conducted to shed light on the ambiguities of the implementation of this concept. In conducting this review, considering a four-level framework (Strategic, Tactic, Operational, Real-time decision making), the literature of synchromodality is analyzed. Further on, using a detailed framework the use of different data-driven technologies in the different stages of decision making in the field of synchromodal transport is discussed. Based on this review, it is also understood that one of the areas which need to be further researched, is the economic feasibility and the advantages of synchromodality in regards with external costs. Thus, in this thesis this subject is also attended meticulously using a quantitative method (using Python programming). Results of these two approaches used in this thesis, indicate that the concept of synchromodality is very well suitable to be implemented and its implementation can be justified not only from environmental point of view but also from an economic point of view. However, there are still several axes of research which need to be considered when implementing this concept. In the end, these axes of research are delineated to ensure continuity of academic research in this area, and the economic feasibility and environmental advantages of this concept are also presented to reassure practitioners and policy makers about the potential of this concept

Cette thèse explore la mise en œuvre de la synchromodalité dans le transport de conteneurs en arrière-pays. La synchromodalité, une forme avancée de transport multimodal, offre une flexibilité et une résilience accrues pour le transport de fret conteneurisé. Bien que le transport routier ait traditionnellement dominé ce secteur, la synchromodalité vise à promouvoir un transfert modal stratégique vers des modes de transport plus durables, tels que le rail et les voies navigables intérieures. Le principal défi opérationnel réside dans la détermination de l’itinéraire optimal pour le transport des marchandises entre les terminaux d’origine et de destination. Dans la première partie de cette thèse, un modèle mathématique est développé pour identifier les meilleurs itinéraires de transport, en minimisant à la fois les émissions de carbone et la durée de transit. Compte tenu de la complexité NP-difficile de ce problème de chemin le plus court capacitaire, un algorithme génétique est proposé pour résoudre des instances de grande taille. Ces instances sont basées sur le corridor de fret de l’Axe Seine en France. Les résultats montrent qu’un transfert modal du camion vers le rail et les voies navigables intérieures peut permettre de réduire les émissions de carbone jusqu’à 80 %. La deuxième partie étend le modèle mathématique en intégrant des impacts environnementaux supplémentaires, appelés coûts externes. Un cadre d’optimisation multi-objectifs basé sur la métaheuristique NSGA-II est mis en œuvre pour résoudre efficacement le problème à grande échelle. Dans la troisième partie, le modèle prend en compte les incertitudes liées aux temps de trajet et de transport. Pour y faire face, une approche d’optimisation robuste basée sur une formulation min-max est employée, permettant de résoudre le problème de transport multimodal dans des conditions incertaines<br>This thesis explores the implementation of synchromodality in hinterland container transportation. Synchromodality, an advanced form of multimodal transportation, offers enhanced flexibility and resilience for containerized freight movement. While road transport has traditionally dominated this sector, synchromodality aims to promote a strategic modal shift toward more sustainable modes of transportation, such as rail and inland waterways. The primary operational challenge lies in determining the optimal route for transporting shipments between origin and destination terminals. In the first part of this thesis, a mathematical model is developed to identify the best transportation routes, minimizing both carbon emissions and transit duration. Given the NP-hard complexity of this capacitated shortest path problem, a genetic algorithm is proposed to solve large-scale problem instances. These instances are based on the Seine Axis freight corridor in France. The results demonstrate that a modal shift from truck to rail and inland waterways can achieve up to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions. The second part extends the mathematical model to incorporate additional environmental impacts, known as external costs. A multi-objective optimization framework using the NSGA-II metaheuristic is implemented to solve the problem for large-scale scenarios effectively. In the third part, the model accounts for uncertainties in travel and transportation times. To address this, a robust optimization approach based on a min-max formulation is employed, enabling the solution of the multimodal transportation problem under uncertain conditions

This chapter aims to address a review of the new concept of Logistics Platform 4.0 for the improvement of global competitiveness, which is supported, within the scope of global sustainable logistics, in the development of the new Omnichannel and Synchromodality Logistics 4.0, and the global value networks driven by intra-industrial trade. The development of the new Logistics Platforms 4.0 induces public-private actions that lead to a new territorial planning and integration of routes, corridors, logistics centres, and commercial areas, in which the metropolitan area stands out as a main actor, leading to the creation of chains of connected and intelligent logistics platforms worldwide. The new urban logistics, which is more effective and efficient, is analyzed as an essential vector for the development of the new logistics platforms. Likewise, the most important logistic problems and metropolitan restrictions that arise for the development of more sustainable and intelligent cities, and the applicable concept of aerotropolis are analyzed.

The maritime transport sector within the multimodal transport chain aims to increase overall efficiency by using advanced technological solutions for planning and management operations, including handling vast amounts of data like cargo, positions, trade flows, vessels, and terminals. All these requires an integrated approach to data management is required in the form of multi-sectoral data-sharing platforms with process interoperability. Hence, this paper describes international legislation requirements related to maritime data sharing provisioned by International Maritime Organization (IMO)and United Nations (UN), along withsome recent technical solutions used in the maritime sector as Maritime Single Window (MSW), Port Community System (PCS), and smart containers on blockchain platforms. Also, the paper provides an overview of the EU-H2020 project ePIcenter focused on multimodal transportation chains efficiency. Some features of high-level data integration, exchange, and decision support modules, such as Transporeon and Synchromodality optimization, are described as well.