Research Project · mFUND
STAFFEL
Completed research project on the development of an AI-powered platform for cross-carrier relay transportation, funded as part of the mFUND innovation initiative.
Project Data
| Duration | December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Grant Reference Number | 19FS2019C, later 01FV2027C | |
| Funding Agency | Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) |  |
| Project Management Agency | TÜV Rheinland Consulting GmbH, later DLR Project Management Agency |   |
| Funding Context | mFUND |  |
| Your Contact | Julian Blasig | |
Project 19FS2019C (later 01FV2027C) by MANSIO GmbH was funded through the mFUND by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) pursuant to a resolution of the German Bundestag.
The Project
On December 8, 2021, the STAFFEL project was launched. The research project aims to cut transport times in truck freight transport in half and reduce wasted driving time. To this end, the project partners—FIR at RWTH Aachen University, MANSIO GmbH, PEM Motion GmbH, and the German Institute for Standardization (DIN)—jointly developed an AI-supported online platform for coordinated transport across multiple freight forwarders. It was designed to significantly contribute to the efficient planning of truck transport, driving, and rest times. The STAFFEL project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure with a total of 1.5 million euros as part of the mFUND innovation initiative.
Initial situation
In road freight transport, shipments were interrupted to comply with driving and rest periods. These interruptions not only extended the transit time; they also tied up truck parking spaces, of which, according to BASt and BGL, there was a shortage of approximately 35,000 on German highways. The search for parking spaces led to CO₂-intensive traffic caused by drivers looking for parking, violations of driving time limits, and frustration among truck drivers. Illegally parked trucks caused accidents, disturbed residents, and, according to VEDA, facilitated cargo thefts resulting in billions in damages.
Solution
The following steps were carried out:
- Concept (sustainability, business model, legal, security)
- Platform (driving time marketplace, AI algorithm, UX/UI)
- Smart security system (IoT system for trailer handover)
- Integration of Traffic, Telematics, TMS, and IoT Data
- Big data processing and provision of refined data (mCloud)
- Creation of standardization documents (e.g. DIN SPEC, CWA)
- Pilot-style validation on a regional driving-time marketplace and in long-haul transportation
Result
Transport disruptions can be avoided by securing trailers with an IoT lock at the end of a driver’s driving shift and then handing them over to well-rested drivers. The project explored a secure, cross-carrier “relay transport” system: On an online platform, long-haul routes were broken down into segments using AI algorithms, which were then matched between freight forwarders and carriers via a driving time marketplace based on real-time data (e.g., traffic, infrastructure, IoT, telematics).
Project partners
Associated partners
