This platform integrates transport information from different sources and generates multimodal transport alternatives depending on the user's specific requirements in terms of time, costs or CO2 emissions.

For this purpose, data on route networks and travel times first had to be collected, processed and made available in a database networked with the other system components. This data forms the basis for the representation and optimization of multimodal transport chains.

However, while in passenger transport - e.g., train, bus and air traffic - this information is largely available online or offline and in some cases centrally, this transparency is almost completely lacking in freight transport.

In addition, the few data available are in very heterogeneous data formats, which entails an enormous effort for processing. The main reasons for this are the highly fragmented markets in the freight transport business and the high competitive pressure.

Findings

From the restrictions just mentioned, it can also be deduced that the freight transport market in the region under consideration has a high potential to optimize CO2 emissions by using multimodal transport alternatives. Where ecological alternatives cannot be presented due to lack of information, they cannot be used.

The horizontal cooperation of the market participants, the growing transparency regarding the available route data as well as the introduction of a uniform data standard are essential prerequisites for a stronger use of multi-modal transport chains and thus a reduction of CO2 emissions in freight transport.