Containers for the Physical Internet: requirements and engineering design related to FMCG logistics

Abstract

One of the main key enablers for a successful realization of the Physical Internet (PI) scenario is a modular box that meets all requirements of an interconnected logistical network. To address all these requirements, a holistic approach including all needs of the shipping network is integrated in the methodical development process that leads to the modular box prototypes. This paper describes the methodological engineering process for the first approach to develop a modular and multifunctional load unit to implement a first real PI scenario in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. From the identified research questions, three different layers to point out in detail arise. Following the presentation of the sizing approach, engineering design is the main part. A technical view on loading PI unit loads completes this work. Several methods are applied on these different layers, and final results are presented. By highlighting the significance of technical aspects and introducing a methodological approach, the reader can pick out additional benefit from this work to use in familiar topics from engineering design in logistics.Keywords Physical Internet Á MODULUSHCA Á Modular box for fast-moving consumer goods Á First physical object of the Physical Internet Á Methodological engineering design process Á Realization of the Physical Internet

Physical Internet and interconnected logistics services: research and applications

“…Physical Internet transportation network design was first tackled by Ballot, Gobet, and Montreuil (2012). Designing Physical Internet container sets has been addressed by Lin et al (2014) focusing on container dimensions, Gazzard and Montreuil (2015) on functional container design, Landschützer, Ehrentraut, and Jodin (2015) on container requirements and engineering design, Sallez et al (2016) on container intelligence and Montreuil, Ballot, and Tremblay (2016) on container types. Physical Internet facilities and material handling systems design has been addressed first by Montreuil, Meller, and Ballot (2010), then by Ballot, Montreuil, and Thivierge (2014), Meller et al (2014) and Montreuil et al (2014), respectively, focusing on roadrail bimodal hubs, semi-trailer transit centres and road-based cross-docking hubs.…”

Logistics Response to the Industry 4.0: the Physical Internet

“…The main topics explored in identified papers are connected with the main building blocks of the PI concepts: π-containers, π-hubs and logistics web. The key enabler of the PI -π-containers is research topic in papers such as [2,18,19], and [20]. In all of those papers the key challenges regards π-containers are: sizing, design (from physical and information aspects) and problem of loading.…”

Multiagent Modelling and Simulation of a Physical Internet Enabled Rail-Road Intermodal Transport System

“…modular containers) provides many opportunities to integrate the transport systems. It motivates haulage firms to exchange flows and improve freight mobility to ship goods in largescale distribution [10]. Supported by such trucking operations, freight corridors with goods assembly and massive shipments can be developed (e.g.…”