Possible Impacts of C-ITS on Supply-Chain Logistics System

The purpose of this research is to introduce an analysis, which is qualitative and whenever possible quantitative, on how Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) can affect a Supply-Chain Logistics System by adopting a three-level approach. Considerations are made on the role and importance of Logistics within a company, its cost structure and the strategic relevance it assumes within the Supply-Chain, while considering its evolution from a Physical Distribution Management to a Supply-Chain Management. The increasing importance of logistics requires more sophisticated solutions to reduce or optimize its costs, as well as to find new opportunities to redesign the network configuration and the value-chain. These applications require a careful evaluation method in order to assess their effective adoption. The research is based on a literature review of the most relevant European Road ITS and C-ITS projects evaluation methods and benefits. The result of the investigation is an analysis that classifies the impact of C-ITS on the structure of the Supply-Chain according to different levels. Firstly, the paper reports the different impacts of a large-scale C-ITS deployment on the Logistics cost structure of a company and more in general, on the expected costs. After that, a second level of analysis deals with a possible redesign of the Distribution Network, oriented to the optimization of transportation costs over long distances. Finally, the third step of the analysis investigates a possible impact of C-ITS on the value-chain from several perspectives within the different roles of the subjects involved in the Supply Chain.