KEYSTONE Survey Unveils Stakeholder Needs and Barriers to Digital Innovation in EU Transport & Logistics
The KEYSTONE project, an EU-funded initiative launched on 1 June 2023, aims to drive the digital transformation of Europe’s transport and logistics sector. Scheduled to run for three years until May 2026, the project seeks to address critical challenges in compliance, data sharing, and technological innovation. Its distinguishing feature is the active involvement of both operators and industry stakeholders alongside enforcement authorities.
Figure 1 - Geographical distribution of the responses collected for the three types of targets (source "D1.1. Stakeholders' identification and needs”)
Work Package 1 (WP1), which concluded in May 2024, marked the completion of the first phase of the project. Over the course of a year, KEYSTONE engaged with 262 stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of sectoral needs, best practices, and the gaps in existing digital solutions. A detailed survey, conducted between September 2023 and March 2024, gathered responses from 168 logistics operators, 18 rail terminals, and 76 enforcement authorities. The findings offer a sound basis for shaping future initiatives.
Key Findings and Statistics
The survey revealed that:
Figure 2 - Percentage of the Importance of Data & Technology in Improving Compliance Checks (source "D1.1. Stakeholders' identification and needs”)
76% of logistics operators, 100% of rail terminals, and 88% of enforcement authorities acknowledged the critical role of data and technology in enhancing compliance checks.
Logistics operators increasingly use innovative technologies such as OCR systems for real-time vehicle tracking, particularly at intermodal nodes serving as checkpoints. EU-funded gate automation projects in Italy exemplify how such technologies can optimise resources, alleviate road congestion, and promote sustainable modal shifts, contributing to the EU's 2050 targets.
However, 24% of logistics operators and 12% of enforcement authorities highlighted the need for harmonising legislation across EU member states. Common challenges include:
Geopolitical issues (e.g., Brexit, non-EU borders).
Regulatory inconsistencies and shipment-specific complexities (e.g., hazardous or perishable goods).
Language barriers and insufficient personnel training.
1. Current Status of Data Sharing Practices
Figure 3 - From left to right: Percentage of logistics operators sharing data with authorities and authorities involved (source "D1.1. Stakeholders' identification and needs")
The responses indicate that 60% of logistics operators share data with authorities. However, only 18% share data with all relevant authorities. The remaining 42% share data selectively, primarily with customs and port authorities.
One primary barrier to data sharing is the lack of adequate IT tools, particularly at rail terminals. Additionally, it was revealed during the interviews that data confidentiality, legal restrictions, and the absence of guarantees for sensitive information create further challenges.
2. Types of Data Shared
The data most commonly shared include:
Figure 4 - Main types of data shared with the authorities (source "D1.1. Stakeholders' identification and needs)
Load Information: Types of goods, transport authorisations, and cargo security.
Vehicle Details: Technical condition, weight, dimensions, and registration year.
Transport Type: National, bilateral, cabotage, or occasional transport.
Driver Records: Driving, work, and rest time logs.
3.Data Exchange between Logistics Operators with other Actors
Data sharing with enforcement authorities occurs through various technological platforms. Some of these platforms are internally developed by the individual company, while others are commercially available. In certain instances, data exchange with authorities occurs via email and spreadsheets. Also, logistics operators and railway terminals exchange their data with other stakeholders.
According to the responses, 50% of logistics operators share data with other logistics operators and rail terminals. Of these, 25% use integrated platforms to automate exchanges.
20% of logistics operators are interested in data sharing but lack a secure digital system. 71% of railway terminals share data with other actors, with 57% exchanging information automatically.
The need for data
Logistics operators and rail terminals expressed a strong demand for enhanced data access, including:
Figure 7 - Need to improve existing platforms (source "D1.1. Stakeholders' identification and needs")
Real-time updates on road conditions, traffic, weather, and parking availability.
Improved cross-border data sharing through standardised systems akin to the EU’s Certificate of Conformity.
Additionally, 85% of enforcement authorities identified vehicle diagnostics, cargo information, and GPS tracking as essential for efficient compliance monitoring.
According to the enforcement authorities’ personnel that were interviewed, integration with data shared through existing European “A2A” (Authority-to-Authority) platforms is also essential. In fact, over the past two decades, the European Union has designed and made available to the authorities of the individual member countries a series of databases and computer platforms (e.g., ERRU, TACHONET, EUCARIS IMI, etc.) to facilitate cross-border verification and control activities.
Aspects to be Improved in Platforms Currently Used by the Authorities (Source: "D1.1. Stakeholders' Identification and Needs")
69% of the surveyed authorities use one or more of these platforms to conduct checks. Conversely, 23% of the surveyed authorities are unaware of these platforms, and 8%, despite being aware of them, do not utilise them. The most frequently used EU platforms are TACHOnet, IMI, and ERRU, see Fig.9. TACHOnet is utilised by almost all respondents, while IMI is utilised by 89%. Resper and eFTI platforms are used by less than 10% of respondents. For the authorities that have indicated their use of at least one of these EU platforms, a significant improvement would be to integrate the various EU platforms and make them accessible through a single interface.
According to the authorities, the accessibility of the platforms (especially for road checks) should then be improved, and their current data catalogue enriched. See Fig. 8.
Only 17% of logistics operators exchanged information with European platforms, citing data format and interface harmonisation as the main challenge. None of the surveyed railway terminals exchanged information with European platforms for cross-border compliance controls. See Fig.9.
The advantages of KEYSTONE & EU-funded projects
Data and technology play a pivotal role in enhancing compliance controls, as highlighted by the majority of respondents. However, logistics operators continue to face challenges stemming from legislative complexities, limited cooperation between Member States, and geopolitical factors.
Currently, 60% of railway terminals and logistics operators share data with authorities, yet the lack of adequate technological tools remains a significant barrier. While data sharing is not mandatory, many operators see little incentive to exchange information with other actors unless clear benefits are demonstrated.
Stakeholders across the sector recognise the importance of data exchange for improving business opportunities. However, authorities, terminals, and logistics operators all expressed a need for access to additional data to optimise their operations.
The findings from WP1 underscore the urgent need for harmonised legislation, integrated platforms, and secure data-sharing frameworks to drive digital transformation in the transport and logistics sector. The KEYSTONE project represents a critical step towards achieving these goals, offering stakeholders innovative solutions to optimise operations, enhance compliance, and align with the EU’s sustainability objectives.
KEYSTONE and other EU initiatives, such as SETO, eFTI4EU Project, SEDEA Project, SOTAH-AFFINIS Projects, and more, are collaborating to establish a digital ecosystem that streamlines compliance, facilitates interoperability, and significantly enhances the overall efficiency of the transport and logistics sector.
Find out more about the finding of WP1 in the deliverable D1.1 - Stakeholders' identification and needs that is available on the KEYSTONE website.
Author: Eftychia Koliou, Smart Transportation Alliance (STA), Sabino Metta (Cefriel), Alexeis Garcia Perez (Coventry University)