What’s next for mobility?

What are the major changes happening in the world of mobility?

Prof. dr. Vis: ‘With the introduction of new modes of transport and new concepts for sustainable transportation, new overarching visions for transport and logistics are being developed. The Dutch ‘Topsector Logistics’ – in which businesses, knowledge institutes and government work together in innovation programs – introduced, for example, the concept of synchromodal transport. Synchromodal transport allows for flexibility in selecting modes of transportation and delivery routes, resulting in more sustainable ways of performing logistics operations.

‘Typically, in the traditional concept of logistics, routes, modalities and time schedules are determined upfront. Synchromodality, however, enables more real-time decision making. It might also allow for efficiently dealing with disturbances, such as the problem that occurred in 2011 when the European river Rhine became blocked by a vessel, resulting in a queue of over 400 vessels. Using synchromodal transport, the cargo on these ships could have been flexibly transported via different means of transportation – similar to how persons would rearrange their trip in case of a roadblock or a calamity.

‘A second change is that concepts of the sharing economy also might apply in the world of logistics. Traditionally, each company has its own warehouse, its own mode of transport, and ensures themselves that goods will be transported from A to B. A next step in developing a more sustainable system for logistics and mobility can consist of the sharing of facilities, modes of transport and staff. As a third trend, we might expect that the networks for passenger and freight transport will be more connected in the future. Perhaps e-commerce lockers strategically placed at public transport hubs. All of these concepts are being studied and new tools and solutions are being designed in close collaboration between researchers, entrepreneurs, and representatives of companies and governmental organizations within the Topsector Logistics.’

Veldstra: ‘Behavioral scientists deal with barriers and opportunities for the acceptance of these new innovations. In spatial sciences, it it about the relationship between the innovations and the environment. Economists and business researchers are developing new business models that can deliver the logistics and mobility concepts of the future, and engineers are working on models that can predict the reactions of actors in systems where knowledge is integrated. The nineteen business partners of SMiLES are regional and international experts in mobility solutions and services – wholesalers, distribution centers, carriers of goods and people, or digital studios. In addition to the University of Groningen, the Noorderpoort vocational college group and the Hanze University of Applies Sciences also launched learning communities. This creates an ecosystem that is capable of realizing innovation at both a scientific and practical level, together with the business community.