The AUTOSUP project is pleased to announce the publication of Deliverable D2.3: Decision Support System (DSS) for Operational Automation in Multimodal Hubs v1, marking an important milestone in the development of AUTOSUP’s Digital Twin-based Decision Support System.
This deliverable presents the first version of the AUTOSUP DSS, establishing the system architecture, key requirements and core modelling components that will enable logistics stakeholders to evaluate and compare automation scenarios in multimodal freight transport. The DSS brings operational, technological, and economic perspectives together on a single platform to support evidence-based decision-making and help organisations navigate the transition to increasingly automated logistics operations.
Building the Foundations for Smarter Automation Decisions
The first version of the DSS brings together several key AUTOSUP components within a unified platform, including:
- Knowledge Graphs and interdependency models describing logistics hub infrastructures and stakeholder interactions;
- Digital Twin simulation models for analysing freight flows and evaluating automation scenarios;
- Information Flow Models supporting interoperability and data exchange between stakeholders and systems;
- A Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) framework for assessing the economic feasibility of automation investments;
- A user-friendly web-based interface enabling stakeholders to explore and compare “what-if” scenarios.
The DSS has been developed through close collaboration between AUTOSUP partners and the project’s Living Hubs in Antwerp-Bruges and Trieste, ensuring that the platform addresses real operational challenges and stakeholder needs.
From Modelling to Real-World Validation
The publication of Deliverable D2.3 represents an important step towards AUTOSUP’s broader vision of supporting the deployment of automated, interoperable and sustainable multimodal supply chains.
The next phase of development will focus on:
- Expanding the scenario-building capabilities to cover all AUTOSUP use cases;
- Integrating additional Digital Twin and Decision Support functionalities;
- Validating the DSS in real operational environments within the Living Hubs;
- Supporting stakeholders in assessing automation pathways, investment strategies and deployment scenarios.
By combining Digital Twins, Decision Support Systems, Information Flow Modelling, Knowledge Graphs and Cost-Benefit Analysis, AUTOSUP is creating a powerful framework that can reduce uncertainty, support investment decisions and accelerate the adoption of automation across multimodal freight transport.