Fraunhofer Austria designs sustainable transport chains
In their IPPO-research project Fraunhofer Austria, RISC Software GmbH and Hödlmayr International AG are optimising their transport chains while keeping costs and emissions on a low level
Together with RISC Software GmbH and Hödlmayr International AG, the scientists of the Fraunhofer Austria-institute created an information system within the IPPO-research project (intelligent linking of prognosis, planning and optimisation) promoted by the Austrian Ministry of Transport (BMVIT). This instrument shall support transport providers in designing, planning and implementing sustainable transport chains:
The target figures provided by customers are pooled and clarified using a forecast system. All relevant parameters, such as seasonality or economic developments, are identified and placed in a meaningful context. This way planning certainty can be increased significantly.
To identify bottlenecks and surpluses as early as possible, the refined target figures are compared with the available resources. Based on the result from the capacity planning of transport providers, alternatives can be obtained. This demonstrates that transports can be performed more efficiently.
If the transport quantities large enough, the system also shows the possibility of inland waterway and/or rail transport. The methods are then displayed on a IPPO-demonstrator. Thus the results of the case study from automotive distribution can be evaluated, and the economic and ecological value of a forecast-based transport planning can be determined.
In particular the automotive industry challenges logistics service providers in terms of distribution of new vehicles. They are confronted with a large number of variants, strongly fluctuating delivery quantities and the need for specific means of transport for roll-on/roll-off transport. While logistics service providers receive forecasts of future transport volumes, the actual delivery schedules are done but shortly before the actual transportation. Due to high uncertainty these often deviate from the plans. In order to be capable of responding quickly and flexibly to fluctuating transfer requirements, logistics providers are mainly planning manually.
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