Digital Platform for Multimodal Transport Planning
Client
Partners
The problem
As part of the PIONEERS project funded by the European Union, the Multimodal Inland Planner (MIP) at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges faces several challenges, while aligning efforts to promote climate-neutral and smart mobility in European ports as part of European Green Deal. Information about rail, barge, truck, and short-sea connections is fragmented, and existing route comparison tools do not show real service availability, especially for rail where capacity data is commercially sensitive.
As a result:
- Planners make decisions with limited visibility
- Sustainable transport modes are underused
- Operational uncertainty slows modal shift efforts
There is a clear need for a tool that connects route comparison with real-world service availability while keeping sensitive data secure.
The solution
Mosaic Factor’s team developed the Multimodal Inland Planner (MIP) a digital tool that provides a complete overview of the most efficient inland connections to and from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
The platform brings together rail, barge, truck, and short-sea routes in a single interface, allowing planners to compare:
- Travel time
- Estimated cost
- CO₂ emissions
Its key innovation is the integration of qualitative rail capacity and availability information in collaboration with LINEAS. Instead of exposing sensitive commercial data, it represents availability through quality metrics presented in a simple and actionable format. This approach allows planners to understand feasibility and urgency while protecting data confidentiality.
The MIP enables:
- More reliable multimodal route comparison
- Reduced planning uncertainty
- Smooth transition from route selection to booking
- Greater support for sustainable modal choices
With continued stakeholder engagement and port sponsorship, the platform is well-positioned to move from demonstration to full ecosystem adoption.
Results
The pilot shows the practical value of digital decision-support tools in a real port environment. It contributes to:
- Supporting modal shift by improving visibility of rail and inland waterway options
- Enhancing decision quality through clear route comparison
- Reducing uncertainty in inland transport planning
- Demonstrating how sensitive operational data can be integrated securely
The project delivered a scalable web-based prototype that can be expanded, enhanced with new operators and data, and potentially transferred to other ports to strengthen multimodal coordination and sustainability outcomes.