Facilitating synchromodal transport through interconnected, modular and intelligent transport units

Synchromodality has recently emerged as new transport concept that has the overall aim to create an efficient network with an optimal utilization of the available resources. One core element of this concept is the real-time switching of transport modes to foster the use of railways and inland waterways. Accordingly, the transport units deployed in the synchromodal network have to meet specific requirements, which are presented in this paper. These requirements include interconnectivity and interoperability, standardisation and modularisation as well as hyperconnected intelligence. Practical examples underline the feasibility and implementation status of the described requirements.