Data Sharing in the Physical Internet: A Capability-Based Approach for Trustless Logistic Networks

Physical Internet (π) promises a more sustainable logistics network through hyperconnectivity between companies and high automatization. However, many logistic companies are reluctant to enter such a network, as they fear sharing sensitive commercial data with competitors and/or a central orchestrator. Therefore, we introduce a fixed set of ‘capabilities’ (services a specific company offers) which allow for the flexibility and exactness to define logistic companies. Based on these capabilities, we propose a decentralized scheme wherein 1) logistic companies only need to share these ‘capabilities’ openly with the network and 2) the logistic network is modelled based on these capabilities and routing algorithms can be applied. We tested this concept both by applying it in an ABM model based on real data and by in-depth interviews with potential participants for a real-life test. The approach shows promising preliminary results on both tests, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.