Sustainable and Efficient Transport
Incentives for Promoting a Green Transport Market
Edited by Ellen Eftestøl-Wilhelmsson, Suvi Sankari and Anu Bask
Chapter 5: The physical internet as enabler of new business models enhancing greener transports and the circular economy
Mervi Rajahonka, Anu Bask, Sadaat Ali Yawar and Markku Tinnilä
Abstract
In this chapter, we discuss a novel approach, the Physical Internet (PI) that could promote greener transport and circular economies (CE) by promoting innovative resource-efficient logistics systems. The increased use of information and communication technology (ICT) to support logistics solutions will make it much easier to implement environmentally sustainable logistics in the future. Some practical experiments in horizontal cooperation and information sharing in logistics, which greatly support sustainable development, already exist. In addition, several theoretical approaches rooted in the use of advanced ICT solutions have been developed with the aim of creating more sustainable logistics systems. One of these approaches is the Physical Internet Initiative, which has received a lot of interest in the European Union lately. In this chapter, we will describe PI and how it could boost new business models, while enhancing greener transports and CE. The objective of PI is to build an internet for logistics, and to reform manufacturing and logistics networks into a resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable system. In this chapter, we will focus on a discussion on moving physical objects. The chapter starts with an introduction and outline of the literature and history of the concept of PI. It proceeds to describe a layered structure of PI and presents a new model for analysing the PI system, which we envision as an emerging logistical ecosystem spanning multiple industries. We present examples of the emerging business opportunities of PI. Finally, discussion and conclusions are provided.
You are not authenticated to view the full text of this chapter or article.
Elgaronline requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books or journals. Please login through your library system or with your personal username and password on the homepage.
Non-subscribers can freely search the site, view abstracts/ extracts and download selected front matter and introductory chapters for personal use.
Your library may not have purchased all subject areas. If you are authenticated and think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.