Skip to content
Technical University of Munich

Shaping E-roads Efficiency for Freight Automation (SEE-FAr)

About

Shaping E-Roads Efficiency for Freight Automation (SEE-FAr) is a research initiative dedicated to advancing the electrification and automation of freight transport. By exploring cutting-edge charging solutions—both stationary (plug-in) and in-motion (electric roads)—the project aims to enhance the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of long-haul goods delivery. SEE-FAr is jointly undertaken by an international team of experts, uniting technical innovation with behavioral analysis to address the opportunities and challenges in modern freight logistics.

The Challenge

Freight transport plays a vital role in global commerce but is also a significant source of emissions and operational costs. As policymakers push toward decarbonization, logistics operators must consider technologies that balance efficiency, infrastructure requirements, and real-world feasibility. Key questions remain unanswered about optimal charging strategies, market acceptance, and how route behaviors change when electric and autonomous freight vehicles replace conventional trucks. SEE-FAr seeks to fill these knowledge gaps to support more informed, future-ready policies and investments.

Our Approach

  • Data-Driven Insights: Leveraging large-scale GPS data, the project identifies current freight routing patterns for different truck types.

  • Analytical Models: Drawing on cost-benefit and environmental impact analyses, the team compares autonomous electric freight vehicles against conventional, driver-operated fleets.

  • Agent-Based Simulation: Using state-of-the-art modeling software, researchers test various scenarios—comparing plug-in and electric road charging solutions across realistic delivery networks in different regions. This simulation framework captures dynamic route choices, charging behaviors, and market conditions.

  • Policy and Industry Guidance: Through close collaboration with academic partners, industry stakeholders, and public authorities, SEE-FAr translates findings into practical recommendations, paving the way for more sustainable freight operations.

Partners

SEE-FAr is jointly driven by the Chair of Transportation Systems Engineering (TSE) and the Institute for Transport Studies (IVe) at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna. The project also benefits from the expertise of an international advisory board, bringing together academics from leading institutions worldwide. This collaborative structure ensures a broad spectrum of knowledge in transport engineering, data analytics, and policy-making, all essential for advancing automated and electrified freight transport.

Contact

For more information on SEE-FAr, please reach out to M.Sc. Shahriar Iqbal Zame, Prof. Dr. Constantinos Antoniou or Prof. Dr. Yusak Susilo (BOKU University).

To top