Frankfurt Airport launches ‘Smart Air Cargo Trailer’ research project

April 4, 2018: Frankfurt Airport has launched the “Smart Air Cargo Trailer” research project, which is aimed at further increasing process efficiency at CargoCity South. The research project aims to provide a solution for autonomous, needs-based shipments and minimize wait times at ramps. The project underscores Frankfurt Airport’s position as an innovation leader in airfreight.

Shipments within Frankfurt Airport’s cargo cities are often transported individually. This puts pressure on the transport system and processing capacity at the ramps. By participating in the “Smart Air Cargo Trailer” research project, Fraport AG aims to develop a solution with several different partners to optimize the use of resources. In future, short-distance shipments at CargoCity South are to be managed automatically using a cloud-based platform.

Intelligent truck trailers are known as “smart trailers” are equipped with complex camera systems that continuously record how full the trailer is. Once a certain loading level has been reached, a control system automatically requests an autonomous truck for transportation. The trucks pick up the trailer and take it to the relevant ramp destination where it is processed by a forwarding agent or cargo handler.

The aim of this need-based order system is to minimize wait times at the ramps and increase utilization of the trucks. Commenting on the benefits of the system, Felix Kreutel, SVP Cargo at Fraport AG, said, “By applying this new system, Frankfurt Airport can provide even faster and more efficient cargo processes. As an innovation leader in airfreight, we are delighted to support this project. As part of the research project, mixed traffic operations consisting of both autonomous shipments and regular truck and car traffic will be tested for the first time at Frankfurt Airport.”

Scheduled to last two years, the project is subsidized with funds from the state of Hesse’s LOEWE (“State Initiative for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence; Funding line 3: collaborative SME projects”) initiative within the framework of the “Hesse Model Projects”. Other partners include the Fraunhofer Institute, RheinMain University, autonomous vehicle manufacturer KAMAG, cargo handler LUG, shipping companies Sovereign and Dachser, and logistics software company CargoSteps.