CAT4Hub2Hub: Accelerating connected automated freight transport for public roads

Challenges logistics organisations

Moving automated trucks from closed logistics sites to public roads, however, introduces new challenges. Integration in logistics operations, mixed traffic, continuous connectivity, infrastructure, responsibilities and national and European regulations all need to be considered.

CAT4Hub2Hub helps logistics organisations explore which autonomous transport solutions could fit their operations and what investments and organisational changes may be required. Autonomous transport could help address challenges such as labour shortages, while improving operational efficiency and road safety.

At the same time, CAT4Hub2Hub looks beyond individual business cases. The wider ambition is to generate knowledge and tools that can support the logistics sector in preparing for a well-founded and responsible introduction of autonomous road transport in the Netherlands.

How do we achieve this?

CAT4Hub2Hub builds on the Logistics Centered Design approach developed in CAT4Yards. While CAT4Yards focused on autonomous transport in closed environments such as terminals and distribution centres, CAT4Hub2Hub extends this approach to autonomous transport on public roads.

The approach brings together vehicle technology, logistics processes, people, infrastructure, responsibilities and regulations. The methodology and corresponding calculation tool can be used to compare different CAT designs and provide insight into aspects such as costs, vehicle use, personnel, sustainability, safety and implementation requirements.

Real-world use cases

The methodology is applied to real logistics operations to assess which autonomous transport concepts best fit specific processes. One use case focuses on short-distance transport between the C2U Multimodal terminal and nearby shippers in the FlevoKust industrial zone.

The other looks at transport between container terminals at the Tweede Maasvlakte and a DFDS warehouse in Europoort.

In addition to these business cases, the project considers the wider impact of autonomous transport. Together with the Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, TNO explores the potential effects of large-scale deployment of autonomous trucks along the international Rotterdam–Antwerp corridor, including congestion, emissions and labour demand.

Who do we cooperate with?

CAT4Hub2Hub brings together a broad range of partners from across the logistics ecosystem. TNO coordinates the project and works with HAN University of Applied Sciences and organisations including DAF, DFDS, Port of Rotterdam, JYSK, TMA Container Terminal and Port of Antwerp.

The project also involves a wider stakeholder community, including logistics companies, sector organisations, technology providers and public authorities. This helps to ensure that the knowledge and tools developed within CAT4Hub2Hub can also benefit organisations beyond the project consortium.

CAT4Hub2Hub is coordinated by TNO and runs until the end of 2027. The project will deliver a validated design methodology and calculation tool, insights from the use cases and an assessment of the wider societal impact of autonomous transport along the Rotterdam–Antwerp corridor.