6.2. Wireless/mobile communication

6.2. Wireless/mobile communication technologies and Internet of Things

To allow operators to track individual assets/containers within multimodal freight operations and to access further information on cargo, such as the temperature and humidity for frozen or liquid goods or a vehicle׳s mechanical condition, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags with embedded microchips, are used (Wang and Potter, 2007, ENABLE, 2010a, ENABLE, 2010b and Ferrer et al., 2010). Yuan and Huang (2008) discuss a new integrated solution that integrates passive RFID and GPS container tracking of long distance cargo to enhance supply chain visibility and security. Recent emergence of near field communication (NFC), which is based on RFID technology, is perceived to be the next step in the way companies operate. NFC enables quick and easy wireless data transfer within close proximity using smart phone technology and already includes applications for making payments using mobile phones.

Jones (2011) argues that RFID does not stand out against other legacy systems used by companies thereby leading to its limited use in the auto-id market. Furthermore, Jones states that RFID technology is extensively used for identification and security in the Business to Business (B2B) market whereas NFC has a wide range of applications for Business to Consumers (B2C). The potential for development of further applications using NFC technology in a supply chain and/or for multimodal transport are vast. The need to purchase or develop specialist handheld devices which could hinder integration and the creation of a seamless flow of goods could be replaced by developing smart mobile applications using an NFC framework and everyday cheaper mobile devices. For example, the driver arriving at the terminal could scan his mobile phone using an installed application to notify the operator of their arrival and then receive instant feedback on the mobile device as to where to unload the goods. If the mobile device is GPS-enabled it could automatically inform the driver of their next task. The application could extend to faster customs clearance, tracking goods at any point in time, and instructions for dealing with hazardous goods. A range of barriers to ICT adoption could be lifted by the technology including but not limited to the size of the company, integration visibility issues, and financial constraints.

Container tracking is another area of Internet of Things application. Container tracking usually relies on RFID tags which are attached to the containers, boxes and pallets included in the shipment and then read at a number of points along the way. The limitation of using RFID only for container tracking is that data can only be captured where appropriate infrastructures such as RFID readers are in place. Recently a new breed of container tracking devices has been developed. They feature several sensors that can operate simultaneously, and offer a range of tracking, security and monitoring functionality (Smith and Hale, 2010). These devices are equipped with onboard photoelectric sensors to monitor changes in the light level within a container (indicating that a container has been opened or breached), accelerometers that detect impact and GPS modules for location tracking. They are also able to access GSM networks and SMS channels to send text or email alerts when waypoints are reached or anomalies occur, i.e. a container can be tracked in real time in any part of the world. All the sensor data is available to shippers, consignees, third party logistics providers and/or customs as well as terminal and port authorities, via proprietary web and mobile interfaces. A typical example is the container tracking system developed by Maersk and IBM (Maersk, 2005 and BDP1, 2005) known as tamper-resistant embedded controllers, or Trecs, for large shipping containers. The Trecs are supported by back-end software and a wireless network, and a sensor system gives shippers a remote view of the state of their cargo in transit. The data can be sent via antennas on a container roof over short-range wireless networks such as Zigbee or Bluetooth, and over longer-range mobile and satellite networks. Such systems give multimodal transport users the opportunity to manage their supply chain more easily and to make changes in advance of cargo arriving at its destination.