In the rapidly evolving global marketplace, the logistics sector faces a multitude of challenges that demand implementation of more resilient solutions to respond to any future disturbance. Synchromodal transport, which is viewed as an extension of multimodal transport, is known as a key answer to this issue, as it provides more flexible and sustainable freight transport and also focuses on collaboration between different logistics players. We consider synchromodal transport as a collection of agents that not only have their own characteristics and behaviors, but also interact with each other, which impacts the entire system. In this paper, we study the system using an Agent-Based Modeling approach. The network represents the combination of long-haul and drayage transport, where pre-haulage and end-haulage are done only by truck, and the rest can be done by trucks, trains, or barges. A numerical experiment is conducted to evaluate cost savings and emissions reduction under different logistics service providers’ relation and re-routing scenarios. Our findings show that synchromodal scenarios are more economically and environmentally efficient, and that they lead to higher flexibility and reliability compared to business-as-usual scenarios. Additionally, our model verifies that the cost saving is considerable when logistics service providers collaborate with each other. The results of sensitivity analyses show consistent overall trends when comparing the different scenarios. Therefore, the conclusions drawn from the original experiment appear to be applicable, not only for that specific instance, but have broader relevance and applicability.

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Despite the presence of numerous navigable rivers in Brazil, they remain underutilized for Inland Waterway Transport (IWT). Given the recent changes in transport systems which aim to reduce reliance on highways due to their high cost and lack of sustainability, it becomes crucial to explore new transport models in Brazil, shifting part of the transport from roads to railways and mainly to waterways. To fill this gap in Brazil’s transport system, it was decided to check why waterways are little used and what challenges cause them to be underutilized and, additionally, what opportunities could leverage their use in the country. In this sense, in this study, we identify the biggest challenges and opportunities faced by IWT in Brazil. To achieve this objective, interviews were conducted using content analysis with managers who work in public and private IWT organizations active in Brazil. Results show that IWT has seen a recovery in interest in recent years due to the need for cheaper and greener logistics. It was also found that the main challenges that IWT faces are a lack of public policies followed by precarious infrastructure of waterways, ports and locks, as well as modest integration with other transport modes. Conversely, the most significant opportunity lies in the potential reduction in transport costs, coupled with the enhanced sustainability of transport activities via the utilization of IWT, thereby fostering greener transport practices. These results can contribute to a better understanding of practical and theoretical approaches related to IWT in Brazil, and they can serve as a reflection for new research focusing on the development of IWT especially in other emerging countries facing similar issues.

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The transport sector accounts for approximately a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with freight transport alone accounting for about one-third of the overall transport-related emissions. Mitigating the sector’s environmental impact is crucial for tackling climate change and achieving sustainable development goals. Modal shift is one of the main solutions to address this challenge; however, many companies have yet to realize its full potential. This paper presents a survey conducted in the Flanders region of Belgium, aiming to identify the challenges and barriers faced by industry players in this key geographical area and to explore the reasons behind the limited implementation of synchromodal transport among them. The survey evaluates the current state of synchromodal transport adoption and offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders aiming to enhance sustainability in the logistics sector. The findings emphasize that to overcome the identified challenges, both policy support and the companies’ commitment are required. Policy support includes establishing consistent regulations and promoting greener transport modes through providing incentives and technological advancements. This research contributes to the field by examining barriers to the adoption of synchromodality and exploring its application within the context of Flanders. By focusing on this strategic logistics hub, the study provides insights and recommendations tailored to the specific challenges of the region’s logistics sector. The challenges faced by industry players in Flanders offer a deeper understanding of modal shift dynamics, facilitating informed decision-making for policymakers and industry stakeholders. Implementing these strategies paves the way for more environmentally friendly, efficient, and integrated transport, benefiting both the industry and the planet.

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Synchromodal transport implies using dynamically several modes of transport. Two relevant aspects of synchromodality are collaboration between actors and flexibility, aiming to make as many decisions as possible in real-time, imposing several changes on the logistic system's performance. This study aims to model the interactions between actors and their reactions to disruptions within the transport network. Using an agent-based modelling approach, the system is modelled as a collection of heterogeneous agents with complex interactions. Different collaboration scenarios and reaction strategies are modeled. The result shows improvement in the average cost, as the collaboration between logistics service providers and the flexibility of their response to disruptions increases. This model provides a testbed for stakeholders to assess different scenarios and ideas inexpensively and risk-free.@en

The Physical Internet (PI) is envisaged as a new approach to cooperation in logistics, aimed to increase efficiency and reduce impact through increased interoperability, inspired by how data is transferred via the Digital Internet (DI). Therefore, many of the elements of the Physical Internet network can be translated to their Digital Internet counterparts. Most of the research until now has focused on standardisation of packaging or the digitalizing of different documents exchanged between logistic partners. With regards to governance and business models in the Physical Internet network the current research is relatively limited. As the concept of Physical Internet was inspired by the Digital Internet, it makes sense to look at the concepts applied there and see if and how they can be translated to the Physical Internet. As a proof of concept, this paper will show that some of these concepts are indeed transferable and could be of importance for the future development of PI. To that end, the paper investigates an important governance issue: Net Neutrality and two well-known business models the auction and the subscription model.@en

Purpose: A family of innovative financial mechanisms and tools for urban public transport, based on the value increment caused by enhanced accessibility, are lately gaining much popularity as a solution to the challenges posed by public financial resources’ shrinkage: Value Capture Finance (VCF). The effectiveness of applied transport financing policies depends significantly on the level of agreement among stakeholders, making collaboration a prerequisite for success. The research presented herein assesses alternative financing options for urban public transportation which are based on the VCF concept. Method: The Multi - Actor Multi-Criteria Analysis (MAMCA) developed by Macharis [1] is used. The methodology is unique in its field, as it includes in-depth involvement of all relevant stakeholders and reveals their way of thinking. Results: The proposed methodological framework is applied to the real-world case study of the under construction metro system of Thessaloniki, Greece. Three different financing scenarios are tested, and the criteria weight elicitation is performed through personal interviews with 70 stakeholders belonging to six different groups, namely: Government/Local Authorities, Transport Authorities, Universities/Research Institutions, Private Sector, Society and Professional Associations. Noteworthy similarities but also contradictions among stakeholder groups emerged, highlighted by the different criteria used for each group. Conclusion: The paper introduces the MAMCA as an ex - ante evaluation method for different VCF mechanisms for urban transportation infrastructure. MAMCA emerges as a robust methodology for this assessment, as it is proved to be capable of dealing with the VCF complexity and multidisciplinary nature.

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