Expectations are high for digital technologies to address sustainability related challenges. While research into such applications and the twin transformation is growing rapidly, insights in the actual daily practices of digital sustainability within organizations is lacking. This is problematic as the contributions of digital tools to sustainability goals gain shape in organizational practices. To bridge this gap, we develop a theoretical perspective on digital sustainability practices based on practice theory, with an emphasis on the concept of sociomateriality. We argue that connecting meanings related to sustainability with digital technologies is essential to establish beneficial practices. Next, we contend that the meaning of sustainability is contextspecific, which calls for a local meaning making process. Based on our theoretical exploration we develop an empirical research agenda.
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The project X-TEAM D2D (Extended ATM for Door-to-Door Travel) has been funded by SESAR JU in 2020 and completed its activities in 2022, pursuing and accomplishing the definition, development and initial assessment of a Concept of Operations (ConOps) for the seamless integration of ATM and air transport into an overall intermodal network, including other available transportation means (surface, water), to support the door-to-door connectivity, in up to 4 hours, between any location in Europe. The project addressed the ATM and air transport, including Urban Air Mobility (UAM), integration in the overall transport network serving urban and extended urban (up to regional level) mobility, specifically identifying and considering the transportation and passengers service scenarios expected for the near, medium and long-term future, i.e. for the project baseline (2025), intermediate (2035) and final (2050) time horizons. In this paper, the main outcomes from the project activities are summarized, with particular emphasis on the studies about the definition of future scenarios and use cases for the integration of the vertical transport with the surface transport towards integrated intermodal transport system and about identification of the barriers towards this goal. In addition, an outline is provided on the specific ConOps for the integration of ATM in intermodal transport infrastructure (i.e. the part of the overall ConOps devoted to integration of different transportation means) and on the specific ConOps for the integration of ATM in intermodal service to passengers (i.e. the specific component of the ConOps devoted to design of a unique service to passengers). Finally, the main outcomes are summarized from the validation of the proposed ConOps through dedicated simulations.
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Mobility hubs facilitate multimodal transport and have the potential to improve the accessibility and usability of new mobility services. However, in the context of increasing digitalisation, using mobility hubs requires digital literacy or even owning a smartphone. This constraint may result in the exclusion of current and potential users. Digital kiosks might prove to be a solution, as they can facilitate the use of the services found at mobility hubs. Nevertheless, knowledge of how digital kiosks may improve the experience of disadvantaged groups remains limited in the literature. As part of the SmartHubs project, a field test with a digital kiosk was conducted with 105 participants in Brussels (Belgium) and Rotterdam (The Netherlands) to investigate the intention to use it and its usability in the context of mobility hubs. This study adopted a mixed methods approach, combining participant observation and questionnaire surveys. Firstly, participants were asked to accomplish seven tasks with the digital kiosk while being observed by the researchers. Finally, assisted questionnaire surveys were conducted with the same participants, including close-ended, open-ended and socio-demographic questions. The results offer insights into the experience of the users of a digital kiosk in a mobility hub and the differences across specific social groups. These findings may be relevant for decision-makers and practitioners working in urban mobility on subjects such as mobility hubs and shared mobility, and for user interface developers concerned with the inclusivity of digital kiosks.
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Bouw, interieurarchitectuur en productontwerp herontdekken hout als duurzaam materiaal. De vraag naar hout neemt toe, prijzen exploderen, de beschikbaarheid neemt af. Een van de gevolgen is de toenemende aandacht voor hoogwaardig gebruik van inheems hout uit de bosbouw en stedelijke gebieden. Toch blijft bij het kappen van bomen slechts 40% van het hout – de stam – daadwerkelijk behouden. De rest van het hout wordt in het bos achtergelaten (om bodemuitputting te voorkomen) of geoogst als houtsnippers. Dit omvat boomtakken en vorken, onderdelen waarvan de vezels op natuurlijke wijze zijn gerangschikt om een hoge structurele sterkte te bereiken. Tegenwoordig kunnen geavanceerde technologieën zoals 3D-scannen, 6-assig frezen en andere productieprocessen met industriële robots nieuwe mogelijkheden bieden om takken en vorken in hun oorspronkelijke staat te gebruiken. Deze technieken kunnen helpen om de geometrische gegevens van deze boomdelen nauwkeurig vast te leggen, om hun structurele sterkte te berekenen en om het gebruik ervan in zo oorspronkelijk mogelijke staat mogelijk te maken. Bij het HvA Robotlab wordt al jaren onderzoek gedaan naar slim scannen en bewerken van hout met industriële robots. In BranchOut wordt deze kennis gebruikt voor het scannen en bewerken van twee grote boomvorken, geoogst door partner Staatsbosbeheer. Aanvullend onderzoek wordt gedaan naar logistiek (transport, handling, opslag voor droging) en bewerking door expert partners Fijnhout resp. Visser. Stichting Hout Research levert kennis aan hoe het draagvermogen van boomdelen te bepalen. De bevindingen worden gebruikt om hoogwaardige toepassingen te bedenken en de marktkansen van boomvorken en gesteltakken in te schatten. Indien veelbelovend, leidt BranchOut tot vervolgonderzoek, waaronder de ontwikkeling van specifieke digitale ontwerp- en verwerkingstools om het gebruik van niet-standaard vorken en takken te stroomlijnen en te optimaliseren, richting de constructie van een demonstratieproject.
The developments of digitalization and automation in freight transport and logistics are expected to speed-up the realization of an adaptive, seamless, connected and sustainable logistics system. CATALYST determines the potential and impact of Connected Automated Transport (CAT) by testing and implementing solutions in a real-world environment. We experiment on smart yards and connected corridors, to answer research questions regarding supply chain integration, users, infrastructure, data and policy. Results are translated to overarching lessons on CAT implementations, and shared with potential users and related communities. This way, CATALYST helps logistic partners throughout the supply chain prepare for CAT and accelerates innovation.
The developments of digitalization and automation in freight transport and logistics are expected to speed-up the realization of an adaptive, seamless, connected and sustainable logistics system. CATALYST determines the potential and impact of Connected Automated Transport (CAT) by testing and implementing solutions in a real-world environment. We experiment on smart yards and connected corridors, to answer research questions regarding supply chain integration, users, infrastructure, data and policy. Results are translated to overarching lessons on CAT implementations, and shared with potential users and related communities. This way, CATALYST helps logistic partners throughout the supply chain prepare for CAT and accelerates innovation.
