INTELLIGENT FREIGHT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS: INTEGRATING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT WITH FREIGHT TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT

This paper describes how freight transport management and traffic management both aim to make optimum use of vehicles and infrastructure. Each has a common interest: the maintenance of efficient, safe and environment friendly transport. However, for a variety of reasons the development of the respective management systems have evolved in relative isolation: (1) traffic management systems (TMS) are generally considered a matter for road authorities and administrations; and (2) freight transport management systems (FMS) are mostly the concern of road freight transport companies and forwarders. This paper given an overview of recent developments, which will allow for these two worlds to become integrated so as to benefit both private companies and society.