From the Digital Internet to the Physical Internet: A Conceptual Framework With a Stylized Network Model

Abstract

Despite the increasing academic interest and financial support for the Physical Internet (PI), surprisingly little is known about its operationalization and implementation. In this paper, we suggest studying the PI on the basis of the Digital Internet (DI), which is a well‐established entity. We propose a conceptual framework for the PI network using the DI as a starting point, and find that the PI network not only needs to solve the reachability problem, that is, how to route an item from A to B, but also must confront a more complicated optimality problem, that is, how to dynamically optimize a set of additional logistics‐related metrics such as cost, emissions and time for a shipment. These last issues are less critical for the DI and handled using relatively simpler procedures. Based on our conceptual framework, we then propose a simple network model using graph theory to support the operationalization of the PI. The model covers the characteristics of the PI raised in the current literature and suggests future directions for further quantitative analyses.

Operations management of smart logistics: A literature review and future research

“…Hongler et al (2010) developed a solvable stylized model to explore the coordination patterns of autonomous interacting agents in transportation. In addition, the stylized model can also help design the framework of a logistics network, as shown in the conceptual framework of the physical Internet by Dong and Franklin (2020).…”

Physical Internet: First results and next challenges

“…The first paper from Chuanwen Dong and Rod Franklin, entitled “ From the Digital Internet to the Physical Internet: A conceptual framework with a stylized network model ” (Dong and Franklin 2021) explores the parallel between Digital Internet and the Physical Internet. This paper proposes a conceptual framework for PI based on the Digital Internet (DI), with the aim of solving both the reachability and optimality problems.…”

The Interplay between the Physical Internet and Logistics: A Literature Review and Future Research Directions

“…[20] offer an external and technical viewpoint on PI research to better inform researchers and policymakers. More recently, [19] suggest a model-based conceptual framework to introduce a feasible PI.…”

“…In addition, these articles attribute social problems along with financial and environmental issues [5], [9], [17], [18]. Further, [10], [19] evaluate and optimise certain aspects of the early conceptualisation of PI. [8], [21 -24] develop the standardised modular containers to make the transport and handling of π-containers very easy.…”