Facing a host of logistic challenges: fierce competition, cost pressures, unstable energy costs, stringent emissions legislation and the requirement for accurately-measured carbon footprints. DB Schenker along with T-Systems and GAF AG are looking for solutions that deliver real-time data based on satellite navigation, earth observation and satellite communication technologies.
Cutting CO2 Emissions /Saving Fuel
The goal is to help drivers achieve an eco-friendly driving style. Rapid near real-time feedback allows the drivers to adapt their behaviour accordingly. A smartphone app makes use of GPS to capture information about location, speed, acceleration and driving times, including breaks and stoppages. Based on the specific freight, vehicle weight and predefined reference profiles, this data can be used to calculate the precise fuel consumption, which is then integrated into the parameters for the route. The logistics company and the driver immediately receive the same metrics via a T-Systems server.
Enhancing the accuracy of the results, GAF is implementing high-quality Digital Elevation Models based on satellite earth observation images to achieve an even more precise calculation of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The result is reductions in emissions and fuel savings, which helps to reduce the overall costs. Additionally, you develop an efficient driving style which also reduces the amount of maintenance required on the vehicles and thereby increasing their periods of active usage.
Tracking and Tracing
So when is the driver forecast to arrive? Using information from satellites, the solution provides information at all times about the exact location of the driver and the vehicle’s load, thereby enabling dispatchers back in the office to provide accurate updates to customers. Furthermore, interruptions are clearly recorded. Moving perishable goods? Is the vehicle at a secure, guarded parking area or a remote road-side? The technology provides the head office with an around-the-clock bird’s-eye-view of all potential threats and total cost transparency.
Tracking of humanitarian transports
A satellite communication channel will be available when providing humanitarian logistics services. This aids the logistics provider when entering disaster-affected areas that lack mobile telephone communications and may face damaged infrastructure. Earth observation data can be critical in stressful situations.
High security requirements? A satellite-based communications network can also be used instead of the terrestrial network to ensure a reliable tracking. This is key when transporting goods of high value.
The project is funded jointly by the European Space Agency‘s Integrated Application Promotion (IAP) programme
(http://artes-apps.esa.int/) and Deutsche Telekom.
