STORM · Project

Data Analytics Toolbox for Smarter, Greener Freight and Logistics Decisions

transportPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Imagine the freight and logistics world is changing so fast — with electric trucks, digital platforms, new delivery models — that the old ways of planning routes and predicting demand just can't keep up. STORM built a new toolbox of data analytics methods that use big data and computer simulations to help logistics companies and policymakers actually understand what's happening in this fast-moving industry. Think of it like upgrading from a paper map to GPS, but for the entire freight sector's planning and decision-making. The tools help answer questions like "what happens if we electrify half our fleet?" or "how will new digital platforms change shipping patterns?"

By the numbers

consortium partners across 5 European countries

project deliverables produced

industry partner ratio in consortium

demonstrated analysis tool for EU policy on digitalization and GHG emissions

The business problem

What needed solving

The freight and logistics industry is being reshaped by electrification, digital platforms, and tightening emissions regulations — but the data tools and planning models most companies and policymakers rely on were built for a slower-moving world. Decisions about fleet investments, route optimization, and sustainability targets are being made with outdated analytics that can't account for rapid structural changes in the sector.

The solution

What was built

STORM produced a toolbox of next-generation transport data analytics combining big data methods, data fusion, and agent-based modelling for freight transport scenarios. The project delivered 15 outputs including a demonstrated analysis tool for EU policy questions on digitalization adoption and large-scale GHG emission reductions in the logistics industry.

Audience

Who needs this

Large logistics operators evaluating fleet electrification and digital transformation strategiesTransport planning software companies looking to integrate advanced freight modelling capabilitiesNational and regional transport authorities developing emission reduction policies for freightSupply chain consultancies advising clients on logistics digitalizationResearch institutions studying freight transport transformation and sustainability

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Freight and logistics

enterprise

Target: Logistics operators and freight forwarders managing multi-modal supply chains

If you are a logistics company struggling to predict how digitalization and electrification will reshape your operations — STORM developed big data analytics and agent-based modelling tools that simulate future freight scenarios. These tools can help you test the impact of fleet electrification or new collaborative logistics models before committing capital. The project delivered 15 research outputs including a demonstrated policy analysis tool across 5 European countries.

Transport technology

mid-size

Target: Software companies building transport planning and route optimization platforms

If you are a transport tech company whose planning models lag behind the rapid changes in freight digitalization — STORM created next-generation transport data analytics that fuse multiple data sources using big data methods. These methods go beyond current state-of-the-art to model new collaborative, digitized logistics systems. The toolbox was validated through industry use cases with input from 5 consortium partners across 5 countries.

Public transport planning

enterprise

Target: Regional transport authorities and urban logistics planners

If you are a transport planning authority trying to reduce GHG emissions from freight while supporting logistics digitalization — STORM demonstrated analysis tools specifically designed for EU policy questions on digital technology adoption and large-scale emission reductions. The project created a platform for dialogue across research, business, and policy to identify future directions for sustainable freight transport.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access STORM's analytics tools?

STORM was a publicly funded Research and Innovation Action, so core research outputs are likely available through open access publications and the project website (project-storm.eu). Licensing terms for specific software tools would need to be discussed directly with VTT, the Finnish research centre that coordinated the project.

Can these tools work at industrial scale for a large logistics network?

The tools were designed to handle big data and data fusion for freight transport analysis, which suggests scalability for large datasets. However, the project focused on research methodologies and policy-level analysis rather than commercial-grade deployment. A demonstration was delivered showing analysis tools applied to EU-level policy questions on digitalization and GHG emissions.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

As a publicly funded EU project (RIA), STORM's research outputs are generally subject to open access requirements. The consortium of 5 partners across 5 countries — led by VTT in Finland — would hold IP rights to specific tools. Commercial licensing would need to be negotiated with the relevant consortium partner.

How does this compare to existing transport planning software?

STORM explicitly aimed to go beyond current state-of-the-art transport data analytics by combining big data methods, data fusion, and agent-based modelling. The focus was on capturing rapid structural changes in freight — like platform-based logistics and electrification — that existing tools struggle to model. Based on available project data, the tools address emerging scenarios that traditional planning software was not designed for.

Is this ready to plug into our existing systems?

Based on available project data, STORM delivered a toolbox of methods and models rather than a turnkey commercial product. The 15 deliverables include demonstrated analysis tools, but integration into existing commercial systems would likely require customization work with the research partners. The project ended in August 2023, so outputs are finalized.

What regions or freight types does this cover?

The consortium spanned 5 countries — Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, and Sweden — giving it a strong Northern and Central European perspective. The tools address electrified freight transport concepts and digitized logistics systems broadly, not limited to specific freight types. Policy analysis was demonstrated at the EU aggregate level.

Consortium

Who built it

The STORM consortium is a purely research-driven team: 5 partners from 5 countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, Sweden) with zero industry participants and zero SMEs. The team consists of 2 universities and 2 research organizations plus one other entity, led by VTT — Finland's leading applied research centre. This composition is strong for methodology development but raises a red flag for commercial readiness: without any industry partners to validate tools against real business operations, the gap between research output and practical deployment may be significant. A business looking to adopt these tools should expect to invest in customization and integration work.

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYCoordinator · FI
CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZEparticipant · CZ
EUROPEAN ROAD TRANSPORT TELEMATICS IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATION ORGANISATION - INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS & SERVICES EUROPEparticipant · BE
CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA ABparticipant · SE

How to reach the team

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland — reach out to their Transport and Logistics research unit for tool access and collaboration inquiries.

Order a report on this consortium See TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to know if STORM's freight analytics methods fit your logistics planning needs? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the research team and help evaluate applicability to your operations.

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