A special session on the ePIcenter Project was organised at RelStat -2022

The Plenary Session included researchers and industry representatives from Spain, Germany and Latvia, presenting the latest research results and innovations in the field of transportation in following topics:

• Artificial Intelligence in Transport: State of the Art and Future Trends (Prof., Dr. Enrique Onieva, the University of Deusto, Spain)

• CargoTube: Next Generation Sustainable Transportation by Hyperloop Technologies (Prof. Dr. Walter Neu, the Institute of Hyperloop Technology, University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer, Germany)

• A Paradigm Shift in Modern Air Traffic Management: Better Now Than Never (Vladislav Chaschin, SJSC Latvian Air Traffic Control, Latvia)

• Economic Substantiation of Smart City Dimensions (PhD Jelena Popova, TSI, Latvia)

Plenary Speaker and ePIcenter special session co-moderator Prof. Dr. Walter Neu from Institute of Hyperloop Technology, University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer, Germany gave more insight into the Hyperloop project’s innovative solutions in logistics and presented the main issues of ePIcenter project.

In frame of the ePIcenter special session the following presentations were given:

• Relevance of Regulatory and Data Availability Issues to Transport and Logistics Processes, Based on the Insights of the ePIcenter Project - Darius Bazaras, Viktor Skrickij, Algirdas Šakalys Raimondas Šakalys (Lithuania).

The presentation was based on research output from the ePIcenter project funded by the European Union program HORIZON 2020. After a brief description of the project , the theoretical research regarding essential data requirements that may be important for improving logistics processes was presented. Analysis of valid legal acts to determine the regulatory criteria and aspects of the relevance and availability of data is performed. Essential areas of data exchange, their importance and trends are identified, taking into account business and governmental organisations. Also trends and possible development perspectives were shown.

• Lessons Learned from EC-funded Projects in Earth Friendly Freight Transportation - Irina Yatskiv (Jackiva), Thomas Brauner, Vladimir Petrovs, Aleksejs Vesjolijs (Latvia, Germany)

This presentation focused on the possibility of in-depth research in other ongoing or already completed funding projects. Research of relevant projects has been elaborated through a multi-channel research, including European research and project databases (CORDIS, Interreg databases), interviews with ePIcenter project partners and stakeholders, as well as regional databases and networks. The review focuses on relevant project data and, in particular, their relationship to ePIcenter-relevant topics and technology fields, their areas of application, their innovation capacities as well as their potentials for exploitation and transfer of knowledge towards ePIcenter. Lessons Learned analysis included 55 relevant projects, with synergies towards ePIcenter, which are clustered in terms of most relevant topics: Cloud Technologies in the Logistics Information Systems; Information Exchange; Security issues, especially related to AI; Environmental Leverage in IoT and Blockchain technology.

• A Modelling System for Evaluating Options for Building and Using a Fleet of Battery Electric Trucks - Irina Yatskiv (Jackiva), Vladimirs Petrovs, Jurijs Tolujevs, Aleksejs Vesjolijs (Latvia)

Authors described the principle of scaling models for analysing the operation of a fleet of vehicles, when the decision to use a particular type of model is made, considering the accuracy and completeness of the initial data, as well as the goals of modelling. The paper considers modelling methods aimed at assessing the physical indicators of the transportation process. Various aspects of using three types of mathematical models are discussed:

a) analytical deterministic models,

b) analytical models using the Monte Carlo method and

c) simulation models.

At the end, information is provided on the TraPodSim simulation system developed by the authors, which is based on a multi-agent simulation model created using AnyLogic software. Simulation models supplies the analyst with a wide range of opportunities for a more detailed display of individual technological operations of the cargo transportation process and can operate in both deterministic and stochastic modes. The ability to animate of a vehicles fleet movement in a transport network outlined on a geographic map is the advantage of simulation models.

In frame of the RelStat’2022 conference Prof. Dr. Walter Neu gave an interview regarding his topic, Hyperloop Technology and green logistics solutions:

“Thanks to the Hyperloop Technology, cargo transportation is made more sustainable, and it will reduce the public road traffic volume, CO2 emission consumption, pollution, noise, energy and light consumption, thus creating a sustainable and green logistics solution for the surrounding environment.

When asked what future transportation systems using Hyperloop technology could look like, Dr. Walter Neu says:

“To my mind, the main advantage of a Hyperloop application named CargoTube is that we have a high potential to save a lot of energy caused by moving around goods. We can do that by minimizing the air friction, and thereby energy consumption due to the affliction. On top of that, we can also get to a higher speed and a shorter delivery time. Perhaps this is one of the best innovations you can do for an optimized good transportation system. But we should keep in mind that we must do that in an intermodal way so that you still have interfaces between the different modes of transportation. No one actually dares to do everything with the hyperlink. Mostly efficiently that would be just the connection between hubs with a large volume of goods that flow in and out. And then in the last stage, last mile distribution takes place. That’s why you need to have compatible interfaces with the existing transportation modes and use the Hyperloop as an enhanced tool than can be used for fast, reliable, and climate neutral delivery of goods. Therefore, Hyperloop is the best way to make logistics more sustainable.”

Speaking about logistics optimization and digitization, Dr. Walter Neu explains:

“Optimization is always favourable because that means delivery times, the volume flow from different directions, and the usage of free transportation systems can be optimized. Thus, optimization is an effective way to reduce energy consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

Perhaps Hyperloop offers the opportunity to think about alternatives for the movement of goods. For example, instead of increasing air cargo traffic which has the largest budget in the emission of greenhouse gases, as off now. If one keeps that on the ground, using CargoTube transportation systems we can achieve low energy consumption and avoid greenhouse gas emissions at comparable throughput, therefore getting a much more efficient transportation system. Nontheless the speeds of delivery of goods would also be quite comparable to what air cargo offers. Therefore, I think the Hyperloop is a very good way to reduce environmental impact of air traffic while keeping the time and reliability of delivery at least where it is now."