TRACEABILITY OF GOODS IN A TRANSPORTATION NETWORK AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Journal article, 2006

Currently there are a number of interesting issues unfolding in transportation logistics. Information technology has made transportation one of the most adaptive areas as to how to use and develop new applications. It is also an industry experiencing tremendous pressure and contradictory demands from shippers, competitors and society. Therefore it becomes increasingly important to take advantage of new technologies and the possibilities that comes with it. A concept, the Foliated Transportation Network, is presented and proposed as a solution for how a mixed transportation network can benefit from information based on information sharing between the shippers and the transportation company via increased traceability and integrated information systems. The paper also elaborates on the role of RFID in logistics and transportation. The conclusions in the paper are based on both previous findings in the literature and the prerequisites and demands of the foliated transportation network and the current development in RFID. Given the problems associated to the current development of RFID in the transportation area the outcome of a similar solution, the future of the concept is related to the willingness of the involved actors to adopt new technology and to cooperate to ensure better resource utilization and the development of costs related to transportation