Innovation for Customer Progress: Green Energy and Mobility: Research and Development: Hitachi Overview

2. Matching system based on multi-sided KPIs for multimodal transport, both passenger and freight

The distribution industry faces challenges that include continued growth in freight volumes and a driver shortage due to Japan’s “2024 problem” (restrictions on drivers’ working hours). On the other hand, public transport such as buses and trains are finding it more difficult to remain profitable as changing working styles result in more people working from home. These developments have sparked interest in mixed passenger-freight services, which provide passenger transport providers with freight transport capabilities. However, the potential disadvantage of this solution is that it will increase passenger discomfort during peak hours and lead to fewer people using transport services.

Operational plans are therefore needed to increase overall satisfaction levels without compromising the satisfaction of any particular stakeholder group. Hitachi has therefore developed a matching system for mixed passenger and freight transport that models key performance indicators (KPIs) for passengers, freight forwarders and transport service providers to determine the optimal transport modes for goods.

Going forward, Hitachi aims to address the driver shortage facing freight transport companies and contribute to decarbonization by further developing the technology with a view to commercial deployment.

［02］Flowchart of matching system for mixed passenger and freight transport based on multi-stakeholder KPI