Public Summary of the TransSONIC Project
The NWO-funded Trans-SONIC project (Transport Self-Organization through Network Integration and Collaboration), a joint project by Erasmus University Rotterdam, TU Delft, Wageningen University, TNO, Ecorys and SmartPort, has yielded many interesting results for the freight transport sector, of which three are highlighted below.
1) Using the SmartPort community in the Port of Rotterdam, TU Delft and Wageningen University carried out interviews and surveys on social collaboration in the transport network. Based on the results, a model for the role of trust in transport collaboration has been developed, and the effect of platformization in the transport sector was researched. Both concepts can be experienced in TU Delft’s ‘Trust Game’ that demonstrates the difficulties and dilemmas around trust when using booking platforms to set-up hinterland transport.
2) Using Ecorys’ Intermodal Links Database, Erasmus University has developed analytics tools for European hinterland transport network that show the effects of adaptive and emergent behavior in case of disruptions or changes, based on the network topology. This research has provided insights into the network performance under different circumstances, but also shows how the valuable data set of the Intermodal Links Database can be used to create a network predictive model, helping organizations to prepare for changes.
3) New technology, such as Smart Contracts and the use of Blockchain ledgers, can play an important role in enabling internet-speed collaboration in transport networks, but there are few successful reference implementations. TNO has developed two prototype implementations for large, international companies to demonstrate and test how these new technologies can be implemented and used.
Of course, all results of the project are available as journal papers, conference publications, and reports in the "results" menu. For those interested in (applying) the results, direct contact with the researchers from the above organizations is recommended (see "contact" menu above).
