One of the requirements in multi-modal transport is to exchange information as well as goods between the different modes involved in a door-to-door transport. The framework for a transport where several modes are involved is not satisfactory since such a transport meets obstacles and meets different needs for information both when a transport crosses a sector as well as between the actors in one sector. For example there are many regulations to be followed in a transport, different standards to be used on the load units, as well as many reporting schemes to be followed. To complicate the situation even more there are language problems in the reporting of messages. The situation in Europe today is that there are 5000 km of traffic conjunction each day at road, and there are 42,000 people dying in accidents each year at European roads. By reducing the transport amount on the roads by moving transport of goods to water we can take part in the job by reducing road transports and maybe save some lives in the long run. The environment will also win by moving goods to sea or to rail born transport. When moving to more multi-modal transport, a variety of information and documents must be exchanged between shippers, transport companies and consignees as well as authorities, insurance companies' etc. The need for communication naturally increases with the number of partners involved in the transport chain. This additional administrative effort is a major obstacle to the utilization of multi-modal transport chains, despite the fact that costs and environmental aspects argue for it. The Transport Chain Management System (TCMS) system was developed to make this easier. To ensure flexibility it has been designed with a modular philosophy such that components can be reused across the different sectors.
Samenvatting