RTI-potential at interfaces between logistics and freight transport in Austria

Abstract

In most European countries the various interfaces between logistics and freight transport (such as interaction between different actors, transport planning, transport process etc.) are poorly identified and coordinated. Hence, valuable research, technology and innovation (RTI) potential at mentioned interfaces is not boosted sufficiently. As a consequence, close-to-market innovation is oftentimes missing. To encourage stakeholder's thirst for knowledge and consequently a further development of innovation and technology in logistics and freight transport, the complexity at those interfaces, the current transport and logistics market as well as the most important stakeholders and gaps in R&D in Austria have been analysed. First of all, interfaces between logistics and freight transport "per se" have been analysed. Therefore, theoretical approaches (such as state-of-the-art analysis of different logistics theories, analysis of goods-/transport-/logistics markets, models of applied logistics, function- and sector analysis, methods for interface analysis etc.) and explorative sectorial analysis were combined. Supply Chains of different complexity in automotive industry, vegetable industry, CEP-providers and recycling industry represented the study areas, which have been evaluated empirically (expert interviews with key stakeholders of the four branches). All interfaces identified in those branches were merged within a broad matrix; differentiated into vehicle-, infrastructural- and informational-sided interfaces to reveal gaps in RTI.