Transport Network Design Methods and Context-Aware Service Specifics

This chapter presents network design models. Then it describes different network types, finally reviewing variables important for the functioning of the network. Context-aware service systems replicate the functioning of supply networks in four aspects: network structure, traffic in the network, management of connections, and service architecture. Below the description of supply network is presented. The supply network “is an organizational form”. The network structure is examined from the point of view of horizontal and vertical integrations, centralization, and geographic coverage. Supply network flows are described by the level of integration. The management of supply flows involves coordination and information transfer related to the delivery of freights. Traffic is managed successfully when actions linked with moving products, and data about order processing for delivery or return have been coordinated and integrated. The nature of companies’ relationships and the degree to which companies affect each other are important. Moreover, exchange management has been included in the network structure that encompasses a broader set of relationships with other supply network members. Voss and Hsuan highlight the architecture of exchange service as “the system broken down into individual elements”. Every service element/module refers to a particular function.