Assessment of digital technology application in intermodal freight transport: a low-income country perspective

Intermodal freight transport (IFT), involves the use of two or more transport modes to move goods within a single unit, creating a complex, multi-stakeholder system. Digital tools play a critical role in planning and optimisation of this system. However, the current adoption of digital technologies in low-income countries is considered low and therefore, their potential benefits are not realised. This thesis endeavoured to investigate the potential benefits of digital technology in IFT from the perspective of low-income countries. First, current technological practices and important performance indicators were examined by considering the transport chain from seaport to dry ports and to destinations/origin points in Ethiopia. Second, two studies on dry ports were conducted to explore the application of digital technology in IFT. The research approach included a systematic literature review, qualitative methods including business process mapping, as well as quantitative methods such as multi-criteria decision analysis and modelling. The results revealed that adoption of advanced digital technologies in IFT is limited, particularly in the road transport sector. The presence of basic technologies in the surveyed companies revealed potential for the further digitalisation of IFT. Application of geographic information systems and use of spatial data in dry port location analysis could enhance decision-making with regard to the optimal location of dry ports. Furthermore, the integration of digital technologies, such as online platforms for dry port’s information management and document sharing, have the potential to improve time efficiency, which was the second most important performance indicator identified in this study. Overall, the potential of digital technologies to enhance key performance indicators in the IFT of low-income countries should be fully exploited. At the same time, infrastructural and human resource constraints in these economies should be addressed for successful technology adoption schemes.