In this paper via an extensive review of 33 EU framework programme projects, we are able to
consolidate and present current major efforts in ICT developments in the freight multimodal
transport setting at a European level. We further discuss barriers inhibiting the quick take-up
of ICT applications in multimodal transport. Resolutions were then explored by reviewing
four key ICT development trends recently emerging and evaluating their potential impact on
reducing such barriers for deployment.
An important contribution of the paper to the literature is that to the best of the authors’
knowledge, this is the first study that links multimodal operations, barriers to technology
adoption and technological trends. Compared to previously published work, our paper
presents the following contributions: (1) we offer valuable insights to academia as there has
been a lack of a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of ICT developments in freight
multimodal transport; (2) our analysis of the four key emerging ICT trends and their impact
on reducing barriers is forward-thinking and allows other academic researchers to scrutinise
or build on the research findings and explore further this important, yet under-developed
subject hence laying the foundation for future research. Much academic research in the field
focuses on the past, rather than being future oriented and tends to emphasise the testing of
already established theories and ideas; (3) our research is also beneficial to practitioners as it
advances and updates our knowledge towards the use of ICT in the freight multimodal
transport field as well as providing guidance and inspiration for the management and use of
existing and emerging information technologies. We also believe that our approach in
examining EU projects to capture the current ICT deployment efforts in the field of
multimodal transport is unique, as many studies in the literature tend to focus solely on a
specific technology solution e.g. RFID hence do not provide us with a ‘helicopter’ view
across countries.