Wireless vehicular networks to support road haulage and port operations in a multimodal logistics environment

The growing complexity of multimodal logistics operations, especially those involving port operations and road haulage, represent a significant number of challenges in terms of track and trace, security, information sharing and visibility. This paper investigates the feasibility of implementing Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) wireless technology in multimodal logistics operations. Tasks involved in this research comprise mapping of material and information flows plus the definition and simulation of a wireless vehicular network associated to vessel tipping operations in a UK shortsea port. Mapping information enabled creating a schema for data transfer. Simulation results showed that a basic wireless network configuration is capable of handling the traffic associated to 20, 40 and 80 trucks. The results also support the case for the future widespread implementation of DSRC for commercial applications, which has been confined mainly to accident prevention and road and safety applications.