Continuous Improvement Track 2: Managing connectivity of rail with other modes; Control Tower
The Challenge
Whereas the overall Smart-Rail project identified in total five different problems, in this Continues Improvement Track the focus lies on improving visibility and reliability in the supply chain. Visibility in the supply chain must provide an overview of the global network that allows easy access to data so they can safely check what is happening at every moment and in every phase of the supply chain. A poor reliability is often the result of disturbances on the network. Disturbances on one train can cause a cascading effect, and can spread throughout all the train services on the network.
Objective
This project aims to increase reliability of services, in case of (un)planned disruptions on the network and to increase the visibility of rail freight transport in the supply chain.
Solution development under this project
In this Continues Improvement Track a logistic control tower for freight transport on multi -modal corridors including rail links realising more transparency about alternatives in the multimodal network will be developed. Shared data on infrastructure capacity will form the basis for defining the most optimum synchro-modal solutions for both supply and demand. all solutions developed will be designed and implemented on a freight corridor between UK and Poland, all work will be build on partners knowledge and experience. The concept will be implemented on a new corridor between UK and France / Spain / Italy
What is a Control Tower?
“A Control Tower is an information sharing platform to support today’s planners in supply chain optimisation and the fulfilment of the shippers’ requirements for supply chain visibility”
Challenges for developing a Control Tower and how we intent to deal with them
In the first phase of the project, the project team faced different challenges for developing
Specifics
Rail Freight Control Tower should support day-to-day business in Decision making, Ex ante forecasting, Event management and Ex post evaluation:
The Control Tower facilitates:
The information flows between the Logistics Service Provider (LSP) and the railway stakeholder;
Improved visibility in the logistic chain;
The information necessary for reliable planning and operative control of the services on rail;
(Real time) information on three levels of management control: Operational (short-term), Tactical (mid-term) and Strategic (long-term).
Agreement no. 636071.