CargoScoreCard

Approach

In the course of the research project CargoScoreCard an integrated software system supporting the identification, calculation and communication of value-adding potentials of a modal shift for cargo traffic towards railway transportation will be implemented. It enables railway service companies as well as shippers to evaluate the benefit of railway transport with respect to financial, technological, social, and ecological aspects. Innovative visualization methods communicate the identified benefits, enabling stakeholders to effectively come to decisions. Through the integrated view of the benefits that railway transportation can offer to all parties involved in the transportation process, a sustainable development shifting goods transportation from road to rail can be achieved.

Procedure

In close collaboration with shippers and transportation service companies, TU Darmstadt first analyses existing tender processes and, building on this basis, develops the CargoScoreCard concept. The chair of multimedia and internet applications at the FernUniversität in Hagen designs visualization techniques and is responsible for the development and implementation of the CargoScoreCard software. Concluding, using the software in trials at the partner companies evaluates the project results and demonstrates potentials for a modal shift in transportation on both national and European level.

The visual display of such decision support systems is crucial for their acceptance. Visualization enables users to recognize relevant performance indicators at one sight and eases the analysis of the underlying multi-dimensional data and its complex relationships.

Technology

In the CargoScoreCard project the FernUniversität in Hagen deploys a novel information visualization system which allows the efficient modeling of interactive, visual application systems. The technology builds on concepts of information visualization: it enables the definition of arbitrary views onto the data and mapping data onto visual objects in order to represent data. A specialized modelling language facilitates the development and implementation of applications.

Notes

Homepage des Projektes CargoScoreCard beim Fraunhofer IPSI