During the Intelligent Transport Systems Congress held in Strasbourg 19-22 June, IRU showcased its latest innovation projects and activities in the fields of logistics digitalisation, smart road safety and on-demand personal mobility.
IRU’s Head of Global Innovation, Zeljko Jeftic, spoke about the need for digitalisation in the road transport sector, concretely through e-CMR, the digital consignment note, and the new generation TIR customs transit system. He said:
"Digitalisation of documents and processes is a stepping stone towards a more intelligent, shared and automated mobility."
IRU demonstrated the trucking emergency call system – eCall, which is the outcome of the EU-supported project I_HeERO. Like all innovations in transport, the system relies on digital data exchange – such as that provided by e-CMR – with a focus on its application to vehicles carrying hazardous goods.
In a panel session moderated by IRU, AEOLIX project partners discussed the path to creating the first harmonised platform for logistics sharing in Europe. The project will overcome challenges such as the lack of interconnected systems, data ownership and access, and the need for new business models.
Integration of taxi with other services is a key issue for the deployment of Mobility-as-a-Service, an initiative that is being realised through several IRU projects, including MOBINET and MyCorridor, and through IRU’s leading role in the MaaS Alliance.