FOREMAST R&I activities are structured along 4 ambition Pillars: (P1) Selectable level of automation Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) architecture and interfaces and situational awareness model for interfacing GNC and sensory hardware and processing systems to efficiently solve the control problem unique to IWT. Combined with balanced human-autonomy collaboration (navigation, mooring, cargo handling, propulsion) and safety implications in mixed traffic utilising tailored Galileo/EGNOS services will lead to a Next-generation Remote Control Centre TRL 5 and Small Flexible Automated Zero-emission (SFAZ) autonomy control system TRL 5 protypes. (P2) Zero emission energy management solutions dynamically optimised for prevailing operating conditions. Hybrid Electric and Fuel Cell zero emission solutions will be evaluated against power and energy requirements, lifetime, costs and life-cycle emissions of alternative fuel/energy systems. (P3) Innovative Macro Designs for SFAZ vessels in intramodal & intermodal transport networks reflecting innovations from P1 and P2. Vessel design concepts, verified through simulation, will provide systematic evaluation of SFAZ designs for confined areas and shallow waters, providing an increased operational flexibility in terms of cargo capacity, types, and load units, tied with hydrodynamic and propulsion models and control architectures. (P4) A modelling simulation design and operational optimisation tools (Digital Twining Platform) enables both design and operational measurement and optimisation of Living Lab (LL) solutions, supporting solutions for European coastal and inland or congested urban regions, incorporating if needed third party innovative components, ensuring transferability and sustainability. 2 LLs in Ghent and Caen, that represent coastal and inland congested urban regions, will demonstrate the SFAZ Prototypes integrated through Automated Smart Terminals in optimised logistic networks. A 3rd virtual LL in Galati will demonstrate replicability.

BOOSTLOG Vision is transforming European freight transport and logistics R&I ecosystem to perform optimally boosting impact generation out of R&I investment contributing to i) EU policy objectives towards climate neutrality, pollution, congestion and noise reduction, free movement of goods, internal security, digital transformation of logistics chains and data sharing logistics ecosystems and ii) companies sustainability and competitiveness generating value for society. BOOSTLOG has identified 4 main areas of action: i) increase visibility and support valorisation of R&I project Results, Outcomes and Implementation Cases in the freight transport and logistics field ii) develope an implement valorization strategies and guidelines to speed up the technological and organisational innovation uptake, including the creation of the Innovation Marketplace and issue recommendations to increase impact of R&I public funding, iii) Define high potential & priority R&I gaps to make efficient uses of R&I investments and iv) Strengthen R&I impacts communication and Stakeholders engagement in the innovation process. BOOSTLOG will: i) map and assess around 150 EU-funded R&D since FP5 in different freight transport and logistics domains (i.e. the Logistics Clouds), ii) Increase the visibility of projects main results, outputs and potential implementation cases through ALICE Knowledge Platform, iii) develop at least 8 comprehensive and industry actionable reports starting with: a) urban logistics, b) logistics nodes, c) multimodal freight, corridors & transport networks d) freight and logistics data sharing, e) logistics coordination & collaboration, vi) modularization and transhipment to share progress made and highlight the impact achieved through R&I projects, iv) develop valorisation strategies and guidelines for public R&I uptake, v) create the reference innovation marketplace for R&I uptake and vi) identify high priority and potential R&I gaps that need to be prioritiezed in future R&I actions.

Long-haul BEVs and FCEVs need to become more affordable and reliable, more energy efficient, with a longer range per single charge, and a reduced charging time to meet the user’s needs. Next to those, there is a real need to take zero-emission long-haul goods transport in Europe to the next level by executing real-world demonstrations of BEVs and FCEVs spread all over Europe; this also requires that technology soon can deliver on promised benefits (easy handling, similar driving hours & charging/fueling, and high speeds, and ability to operate in complex transport supply chains); flexible and abundant charging points for the rising number of vehicles must be implemented fast and to support this, novel charging concepts are needed. In addition, as multiple needs in the logistics chain exist, require novel tools for fleet managers providing them with better information on ZEV in logistic operation, providing a twin of the real use thereby giving valuable information regarding predictive maintenance, eco-driving etc., providing information on better logistics planning, the (available) charging and refuelling along the route, access to roads and traffic information. ZEFES major outcomes: Executing of real-world demonstrations of long-haul BEVs and FCEVs across Europe to take zero-emission long-haul goods transport in Europe to the next level. Pathway for long-haul BEVs and FCEVs to become more affordable and reliable, more energy efficient, with a longer range per single charge and reduced charging times able to meet the user’s needs. Technologies which can deliver promised benefits (easy handling, similar driving hours & charging/fueling, high speeds and ability to operate in complex transport supply chains). Mapping of flexible and abundant charging/fueling points and novel charging concepts. Novel tools for fleet management to support the rising number of long-haul BEVs and FCEVs vehicles in the logistics supply chains.

Results from a simulation experiment with top retailers Carrefour and Casino in France and their 100 top suppliers moving from actual practice to a “Physical Internet Model” showed a potential economic benefit of 32%, a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a potential of 50% of volume shifted from road to rail. Accelerating the Path Towards Physical Internet -SENSE- project strategic objective is to accelerate the path towards the Physical Internet (PI), so advanced pilot implementations of the PI concept are well functioning and extended in industry practice by 2030, and hence contributing to at least 30 % reduction in congestion, emissions and energy consumption. To that end, SENSE aims to increase the level of understanding of PI concept and the opportunities that brings to transport and logistics. By building stronger and wider support of industry, public bodies and research worlds towards the PI we may reach consensus and enable coordinated strategic public and private investments in research and innovation embracing Physical Internet that could lead us to a new much more efficient and sustainable paradigm. SENSE will: 1) enhance, and stabilize a solid framework for industry, research and public bodies to share advances, barriers, opportunities and best practices regarding Physical Internet implementation, 2) build awareness and raise wide consensus on the Detailed Roadmap towards the Physical Internet developed in the frame of the project, 3) Create The Reference Knowledge Platform so the Physical Internet Community has access to recent developments including: PI implementation cases assessment, industry programs and activities, related start-ups, research and innovation projects, public initiatives and programs and last, but not least, 4) assist and support Industry, European Commission, Member States and Regional Governments in the process of defining high impact research policies to fast track to Physical Internet.

For the mass deployment of electric trucks, the FLEXMCS project aims to overcome challenges regarding the acceleration of the roll out of charging infrastructure, in expanding grid capacity and available charging infrastructure. FLEXMCS designs highly energy-efficient megawatt-charging hubs with multiport chargers, which improve the utilisation and can be used flexible, for HDVs during fast charging, but also at night for slower charging and for light vehicles. The project will integrate renewable energy sources in the charging hub to minimize energy losses and grid impact. Furthermore, the project will develop tools for optimal utilisation of charging infrastructure and user convenience. An Open Charging Framework architecture, will create real-time data exchange between CPOs and truck, to match the supply and demand of charging infrastructure. Part of the project is also the streamlining of the planning and installation of new charging hubs, identification of optimal geographical locations along TEN-T corridors and optimizing hub architecture and layout, and addressing technical and non-technical barriers. FLEXMCS will demonstrate and assess the FLEXMCS megawatt-charging hub concept and upscaling strategy, validating technology effectiveness and formulating business cases. The project partners include Vrije Universiteit Brussel as the coordinator, along with Hitachi Energy, JEMA Energy as charging infrastructure suppliers, ElaadNL representing grid operators, IVECO spa and DAF trucks regarding the interoperability for trucks, Bosch Service Solutions GmbH for access and control systems on the charging hub, Alfen for stationary energy storage, Ricardo, TNO, IDIADA Automotive Technology SA and Austrian Institute of Technology for the development of tools and algorithms, and ALICE and Gruber Logistics SPA for giving an end-user perspective on all systems.