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

The adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made possible to experience levels of visibility, control and connectivity across the entire supply chain never experienced before. However, in road transport logistics, which represents the largest market share of freight transport modes, wireless ICT applications like cellular networks, Wi-Fi, UMTS, 4G and WiMax have not entirely solved reliability and connectivity problems, not to mention difficulties associated to limited range, scalability and security. This paper illustrates an application of Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) technology in road transport logistics feeding port operations. A secure service architecture comprising the presence of port authorities and multiple shipping lines along with banking institutions modules is proposed. The purpose of this architecture is to facilitate the delivery of information services offered at the roadside infrastructure.