Work has started on FreightShare Lab (FSL), a collaborative research project focused on tackling transport inefficiencies associated with empty and partially laden truck running.

The project is co-funded by Innovate UK and aims to demonstrate how strategic data and asset sharing between multiple road/rail carriers and shippers can reduce empty running and under-utilisation of freight vehicles.

It will run for 30 months and intends to provide real-world validation of a feasibility study conducted by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in 2016

FSL partners Route Monkey, Transport Systems Catapult, Heriot Watt and MT publisher DVV Media will develop an open data software platform for the optimisation and co-ordination of shared assets to do this.

The platform will act as a strategic planning tool, integrating job and vehicle data from shippers, fleets and carriers.

Against a backdrop of increasing freight volumes and pressure for countries to reduce CO2 emissions, the WBCSD study estimated that asset sharing could deliver a 20% reduction in fleet CO2 output from road freight.

To get involved, email Kate Armitage.

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