Knowledgeable Comprehensive and Fully Integrated Smart Solution for Resilient, Sustainable, and Optimized Transport Operations
- Open Access
- 2026
- OriginalPaper
- Buchkapitel
Erschienen in:
Aktivieren Sie unsere intelligente Suche, um passende Fachinhalte oder Patente zu finden.
Wählen Sie Textabschnitte aus um mit Künstlicher Intelligenz passenden Patente zu finden. powered by
Markieren Sie Textabschnitte, um KI-gestützt weitere passende Inhalte zu finden. powered by (Link öffnet in neuem Fenster)
Abstract
1 Introduction
According to EU objectives for a resilient, sustainable, and more efficient transport system, the improvement of smart enforcement concept constitutes a fundamental aspect. The objective is to apply harmonized communication and procedural standards, which create a more comprehensive and harmonized environment for transport enforcement. Such solutions should be viable, effective, and feasible under economical and technical aspects, allowing future integration with newly developed systems and devices in order to exchange relevant information [1]. In 2022, the European Commission launched the new European Standardisation strategy, outlining the importance of increasing the EU’s competitiveness to enable a resilient, green, and digital economy [2]. This includes the necessity to improve and standardize technological applications, such as plug & play systems, connectivity technologies, and communication standards across Member States.
The following paragraphs are aimed to show the key contributions that will provide the EU-funded KEYSTONE project to achieve these objectives between June 2023 and May 2026. More specifically, they will explain in detail the scopes and the methodologies adopted in the KEYSTONE project, as well as other related EU projects aimed at achieving a more comprehensive, sustainable, and efficient transport system across Europe.
Anzeige
2 KEYSTONE Project Description
KEYSTONE is an acronym and stands for “knowledgeable comprehensive and fully integrated smart solution for resilient, sustainable and optimized transport operations”. It is an EU-funded project under the Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement number 101103740), which started in June 2023 and ends in May 2026 that aims to develop an ecosystem for the integration and exchange of data and information of an interoperable, intermodal, and seamless transport and logistics system.
The KEYSTONE ecosystem will be established in eight phases which are characterized by a sequential approach. The first three phases are dedicated to the identification of the users’ needs, to the requirements of the KEYSTONE ecosystem and to the development of a project vision. The identified solutions create a federation of platforms and standardised data and information exchange, which is then developed and tested within two pilot settings. Finally, a set of guidelines and recommendations are created to replicate and extend at European level the proposed ecosystem. Within these phases and through the development of the project, KEYSTONE aims to have a strong impact on the environment, on the society, on the economy, on the industry sector and on the science and knowledge field. In particular, KEYSTONE has the ambition to improve the ability to use transport data to find impactful actions to decrease the CO2 and NOX emissions, monitor the progress of the biosphere and to intervene on specific problems within the context of future R&D projects or initiatives. This will increase the ability to acquire knowledge and find concrete solutions which improve the quality of the goods and services offered, thus improving the quality of life within society.
3 Methods
KEYSTONE is an ambitious project that aims at revolutionising the European transport system, it stands at the forefront of innovation and efficiency. With its overarching goal of fostering sustainability, efficiency, and safety in the transportation of goods and passengers, KEYSTONE is poised to build upon the ground-breaking work of the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum's (DTLF) Subgroup 2 [3]. This subgroup, focused on “Corridor Freight Information Systems”, has paved the way for a common framework for information sharing in multimodal transport and logistics chains. KEYSTONE's mission is to take this foundation and implement the principles of “plug & play” [4], enabling seamless data exchange among diverse stakeholders.
Additionally, KEYSTONE draws inspiration from previous EU-funded projects that acted as support projects to DTLF, FEDeRATED and FENIX, harnessing their knowledge, technologies, and semantic models to create a standardised API reference model. This collaborative effort will not only enhance connectivity but also advance automation, ultimately transforming the European transport landscape towards a more sustainable, efficient, and interconnected future, while also ensuring compliance with the rules and legislation that apply in the logistics sector.
Anzeige
3.1 FEDeRATED Project
FEDeRATED is part of the broader DTLF initiative chaired by the European Commission, Directorate for movement of persons and freight (EC DG Move). Its primary aim is to develop a federated network of platforms ensuring interoperability among existing logistics platforms and solutions. This network allows logistics enterprises and authorities to connect to a single solution, facilitating digital business collaboration [5]. The project's four core principles are: i) plug and play, ii) federation, iii) independent technology services, and iv) safety and security, all aligning with the European Interoperability Framework (EIF) [6]. KEYSTONE is keenly interested in FEDeRATED's semantic model and aims to use the knowledge and model developed. While FENIX focuses on platform connectivity, FEDeRATED enables business interoperability with a chosen solution, aiming for an open and neutral data-sharing infrastructure. This infrastructure can aid KEYSTONE in developing standardized solutions for seamless data exchange and collaboration across logistics platforms [7]. FEDeRATED's semantic model, defining shared data as “linked data” with consistent semantics and syntax, is invaluable for KEYSTONE's standardization efforts.
FEDeRATED aligns with the eFTI Regulation [8] and eCMR Convention [9], aiding KEYSTONE in ensuring regulatory compliance. Insights from FEDeRATED on data sovereignty, where data remains under its source's control, can enhance KEYSTONE's standardized solutions. Understanding stakeholder roles within the logistics ecosystem from FEDeRATED will help KEYSTONE tailor solutions to specific needs. Additionally, FEDeRATED's deployment approach with “Basic Data Infrastructure” (BDI) nodes serves as a practical reference for implementing standardized solutions in real logistics scenarios.
3.2 FENIX Project
FENIX is pioneering a European federated architecture for data sharing in the logistics community, aiming to establish seamless interoperability among various logistics platforms for Business-to-Administration (B2A) and Business-to-Business (B2B) data exchange [10]. Inspired by the European Commission's Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF), FENIX promotes efficient data sharing, enabling stakeholders to connect, collaborate, and comply with legislation while ensuring trust and security.
KEYSTONE finds FENIX highly relevant due to its guidance on standards in logistics and data sharing, which can inform KEYSTONE's standardization efforts and ensure alignment with industry norms. FENIX's commitment to European Commission policies offers insights for KEYSTONE to support compliance with European regulations effectively. Additionally, FENIX's achievements in interoperability among logistics platforms provide valuable knowledge for KEYSTONE's goal of creating a seamless digital transport ecosystem [11, 12]. KEYSTONE can leverage FENIX's federated architecture as a reference to develop an evolved transport system infrastructure, reducing implementation challenges and risks. FENIX's focus on semantic interoperability and experiences from pilot sites offer valuable lessons for structuring and standardizing data, crucial for developing standard APIs. KEYSTONE will build upon FENIX's governance model to create a framework suitable for its digital transport ecosystem, including roles, procedures, and certification processes.
3.3 Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF)
The Digital Transport and Logistics Forum (DTLF), established by the European Commission, brings together stakeholders from the transport and logistics sectors to promote digitization. This analysis covers DTLF's history, mandate, structure, and impact on European transport. DTLF addresses the need for digitization in the transport industry, aiming to create a common vision and roadmap for digitalization. It includes stakeholders from public and private sectors to coordinate efforts and support EU-level measures.
The DTLF operates through two subgroups: one focuses on electronic transport documents, and the other on optimizing goods flow through freight information systems. A significant milestone was the EFTI Regulation, which established standardization in the sector. The DTLF later expanded its working groups to address regulatory aspects, reflecting the sector's evolving needs. Subgroup 2, focusing on data sharing, is crucial for “plug and play” activities, aiming to integrate DTLF principles into market dynamics.
Despite challenges in practical implementation, the DTLF's work remains vital. It shifted from unique digital platforms to an “ecosystem of platforms,” involving a wide range of participants to address transport and logistics issues comprehensively. While ambitious, the DTLF continues to push for a fully digitized and cooperative European transport sector.
3.4 Overview of the Main European Platforms
The KEYSTONE digital solution will consider the main existing European platforms today (RESPER, ERRU, IMI, TACHONET) used by authorities for the exchange of information in the logistics and road transport sector, in order to develop an innovative application that allow to directly access all relevant data to verify compliancy to social regulations, market rules as well as safety legislation. In terms of safety legislation, RESPER [13], (Réseau permis de conduire) is the EU network of driving licenses. It guarantees effective freedom of movement for license holders issued in the Member States, enhancing road safety, reducing the possibility of document fraud, and avoiding the issuance of multiple licenses in compliance with the EU Directive 2018/645.
The compliance with social road transport rules such as Regulation 165/2014 and 68/2016 on driving times and resting period, is verified by authorities through TACHONET [14], the telematics network for the exchange of information concerning the issuing of a tachograph cart, i.e., tool which records driving time, period of work, other periods of availability, breaks of work and daily rest periods, as well as vehicle speed and distance of the journey.
On the side of market rules, ERRU [15] (European Registers of Road Transport Undertakings) allows Member States to exchange information on road transport companies in line with the requirements of the Regulation 1071/2009 on the access to the profession of road transport undertakings. ERRU provides a means to interconnect the national registries through the exchange of structured (XML) messages to a central hub, so that the competent authorities can mutually exchange information contained in their respective databases.
Moreover, the system IMI [16] (Internal Market Information) allows authorities of each Member State to acquire information about companies that post workers to EU countries and about posted workers, necessary for the definition of inspections in the matter of transnational posting under the competence of the requesting authority, in accordance with directives 2005/36, 2006/123 and 2014/67.
4 Results and Discussion
KEYSTONE will face several key challenges. Establishing seamless access to real-time information for authorities and private stakeholders is crucial for ensuring compliance with transport rules and optimizing logistics. This requires breaking down data silos and promoting interoperability. Additionally, implementing “compliance by design” and “compliance by default” principles is essential to protect users’ privacy while enabling efficient data sharing. Standardizing digital information and data exchange among logistics stakeholders is necessary to fully leverage digital technologies and improve freight transport services. Enhancing road safety through standard safety standards and innovative technologies, as well as improving social conditions for transport workers and reducing bureaucratic burdens, will support economic growth in logistics. Lastly, adopting an integrated approach to sustainability, covering economic, social, and environmental aspects, is vital to ensure that solutions align with sustainability goals.
At the end of its three-year project, KEYSTONE aims to create a sustainable, efficient, and safe transport solution through a web app designed to enhance data exchange between enforcement authorities and logistics operators. From defining the state-of-the-art, developing and testing the KEYSTONE solution, to evaluating and replicating it, stakeholders play a strategic role.
The web app will demonstrate the API standard and reference model proposed by the consortium. It will be an open-source service for small transport operators, accessible via eID without additional registration, and implement a plug-and-play concept. The app will provide complete documentation for border controls and highlight data inconsistencies for verification. Using business intelligence, it will extract data from users and fill any information gaps. The two pilot projects will refine the software and model to ensure maximum utility and acceptance.
Declarations
KEYSTONE (Knowledgable comprEhensive and fullY integrated SmarT sOlutioNs for rEsilient, sustainable, and optimised transport operations) has received funding from the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101103740. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.
The images or other third party material in this chapter are included in the chapter's Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the chapter's Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder.
