The project FLEET investigates within the DRIVE programme the potential of new information and communication technologies in order to establish integrated pan-European freight and fleet management systems. Although various freight and fleet management (FM) components are already operational, there are no pan-European FMs available which satisfy the heterogeneous requirements of the freight transportation market. Moreover, these components are not integrated into the emerging RTI-based infrastructure (e.g. traffic information and control centres). Within FLEET market requirements and functional requirements related to RTI-based FMs have been elaborated. Based on these requirements and on an investigation of existing systems alternative system concepts have been defined and assessed. These concepts provide the basis for system design and pilot demonstration implementation by means of which main functions and effects will be demonstrated. Based on the accompanying feasibility studies for pan-European FMs, implementation recommendations will be given. Specific emphasis is placed on the following aspects: (1) Flexibility of system design by means of a tool box approach which allows for customized solutions according to specific requirements; (2) Standardization of (mobile) communication and information exchange which allows for usage in a pan-European environment; (3) Integration of existing freight and fleet management systems and embedding of the pan-European FMs into the emerging integrated road transport environment (IRTE). (A)
Abstract