Freight Transport Research Group

Head of research group
Kristian Hegner Reinau

Our research focus is optimization of freight transport through the use of new technologies, in particular tracking technologies and blockchain technology. Optimization is seen both in relation to the business model of the companies—and thus the value propositions of new technologies in the field—and in relation to the surrounding society, i.e. minimization of congestion and emission from the industry.

Three research topics in particular is pursued by the group: i) collaborative logistics among large logistics companies, ii) new technologies and their potentials, in particular tracking technologies and blockchain technology and iii) Multimodal transport and port management.

We use a range of methodologies, ranging from quantitative methods (i.e. GI Science, Statistics and Logistics modelling) to qualitative methods (i.e. Interviews and Observation studies to analyze practices in the freight transport industry). The Freight Transport Research Group a broad spectrum of strategic capabilities consisting of experts collected from several countries with different backgrounds such as transport, logistics, tracking technologies and business.

We have a significant project portfolio with a combined budget of more than 21.000.000 DKK. The research group maintains a close relationship and collaboration with key companies and public authorities in the freight transport field, and the projects are characterized by an agile and emergent approach which aims to change status-quo in the industry. This is done, for example, through close dialoged and co-creation with important business actors in the Danish freight transport field. The research group is also part of the AAU Defence initiative, looking into options to improve military freight transport.