Information Exchange in a Physical Internet Network: A Proposed Architecture

The Physical Internet (PI) is an innovative system that aims to revolutionize current paradigms of global logistics. It is founded on the designing principles of the Digital Internet, such as transparency, resource sharing, and information exchange, with the goal of creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly logistics network. Unlike the Digital Internet, where network packets contain routing information within them, the PI operates differently. It requires a network of communication protocols to support global interconnection and collaboration to ensure effective delivery to the destination. In this regard, the present thesis work has clarified the types of information and data exchanged in various logistical processes within the Physical Internet. This was achieved through a systematic literature review of PI protocols, which also enabled the establishment of a precise categorization of messages and data exchanged based on the identified core processes. The categorization served as an initial framework (offering a structured and organized approach) for conducting a critical analysis of the literature by examining how different categories of communication protocols were discussed in the publications. Although the literature often focuses on the types of messages exchanged, it often remains vague and confusing when discussing a messaging system capable of supporting the universal interconnection promised by the Physical Internet. Therefore, this thesis’ ultimate objective was to propose a hybrid data exchange system based on Publish-Subscribe (Pub/Sub) systems and point-to-point communication where it is required. A platform of this kind, with an open data structure, allows various actors within the PI to share information with the network and access specific information that the network possesses. This typology of system overcomes the need for point-to-point communication, at least for most of the logistics processes, and enable end-to-end visibility and traceability for pi-actors through ubiquitous information exchange.