Background of advanced logistics systems

The objective of this report is to present the main advances in freight transportation which lead to the development of advanced logistics and communication in road freight transport operations. Our purpose is not to make an exhaustive description of all events, but to point out the most important factors, the so-called "driving forces". This overview of the situation has been elaborated on the basis of both the material provide by the TA1 OECD Group and research in the CRET. Thus, it makes sense for all the countries represented in the group. This report presents a synthesis or a "common denominator" of all the logistics background analysed. Due to its integration in economic and industrial activities and its relationships with policy, transportation is a very complex activity. Thus, we chose a systemic approach to present transportation in its complexity. 1) Since the aim of the transportation system is to fulfil the logistics demand, chapter 1 answer the following question: what are the evolutions of this demand, in particular the industrial one. 2) Because the environment in which freight transportation is inserted is also very important, chapter 2 briefly examine the administrative and public policy environment. 3) Acknowledging that transportation system is a running phenomenon, chapter 3 analyses how transport services are changing, and how the transport sector is changing. 4) Finally, chapter 4 draws up the major further evolutions, as regards information systems, in transportation.