ASP projects

Digital Logistics: Transforming regional-scaled freight logistics with digital integration

The field of information and communication technology (ICT) is continually changing as new technologies are developed. A number of current technologies (e.g. wireless communication technologies) are relevant to mobility applications. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) encompass a broad range of communication-based information and electronic technologies integrated in transportation system infrastructures and in vehicles themselves. Integration of these systems among companies continues to be a challenge. Digital Logistics is a project with the objective of implementing potential scenarios in terms of organization, ICT technology, traffic models and political decisions related to improved solutions for lower traffic impact in a large urban center such as Turin. Digital Logistics is a large-scale vision both in terms of geographical scope and industry involvement. With reference to the ZTL (limited traffic) area of Turin, the challenge is to create a shared system aimed at:
– integrating the players managing information flows and transactions (telecoms, roads, logistic services, logistic service providers, public bodies, etc.);
– converging ICT and sensor networks (mobile cell networking, satellite positioning, ZigBee, traffic sensors, on-board units, etc.);
– redesigning logistic processes to optimize cost, social value and environmental impact.
Based on the underlying converged intelligence, the project has researched future applications to enable dynamic management of freight distribution, as well as dynamic simulation and policy making. The project involved a variety of expertise: telecom and electronic engineering, logistic engineering, operational research, urban planning and transportation expertise, etc. The project has been developed by two multidisciplinary teams focused on different aspects:
– Team A focused its attention on the improvement that can be achieved by integrated optimization of deliveries in the city center by a single carrier, operating in the last mile of the distribution. The team used decision support systems to analyze, optimize, and direct or regulate flows. An economic and environmental analysis was also developed as well ample benchmarking research of similar cases.
– Team B focused its attention on possible technological solutions to the problem, intensifying collaboration with Telecom Italia. The focus was on a mobile phone application using a Telecom Italia framework as well the integration of other wireless systems (i.e. ZigBee) for various communications from the field. There is significant potential for new models to set congestion pricing strategies which could focus on computation of optimal tools via variable road pricing strategies to adjust the toll level according to the traffic on the network. The vision is one of system connection convergence, capitalizing on the capacity of integrating systems and technological infrastructures to enhance communications, interconnections, data exchange, visibility, and traceability of mobility in the city. This could be obtained by developing a strategic design approach focused on horizontal integration as well as vertical implementation. The project has shown the huge opportunities for improvement on this issue. Developments could come from a real time approach, integration of Reverse Logistics, synergy with healthcare transportation and a unique logistic platform for all city deliveries.

Principal Academic Tutor
Carlo Rafele
Production Systems and Business Econimics, Politecnico di Torino

Academic Tutors
Marco Ajmone Marsan
Electronics, Politecnico di Torino
Flavio Boscacci
Architecture and Planning, Politecnico di Milano
Gino Marchet
Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Roberto Tadei
Control and Computer Engineering, Politecnico di Torino
Roberto Maja
Industrial Design, Arts, Communication and fashion, Politecnico di Milano
Claudio Demartini
Control and Computer Engineering, Politecnico di Torino
Alberto De Marco
Production Systems and Business Economics, Politecnico di Torino

External institution
Telecom Italia Labs

External Tutors
Andrea Bragagnini
Telecom Italia S.p.A.
Maura Santina Turolla
Telecom Italia S.p.A.

Team members
TEAM A
Silvia Agresti [Team controller], Management, Economics and Industrial
Engineering
Laura Cignetti, Industrial Engineering and Management
Mylène Perrein-Peduzzi, Building Engineering/Architecture

TEAM B
Samuele Bellani, Physics Engineering
Francesco Borrello, Computer Engineering
Marco Montagner [Project Communication Coordinator & Team controller], Industrial Engineering and Management
Francesco Pasini, Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering

Download the poster of the Project