PreLogAcc – Preparing the Future of Automated Logistics

About the project

PreLogAcc is a preparatory project within the FFI Accelerate programme aimed at establishing a robust and implementable foundation for a future system demonstrator of traffic-safe, connected, cooperative and automated mobility (CCAM) in road freight transport.

Building on previous work on Level 4 (L4) automation in hub-to-hub logistics, the project focuses on translating identified needs, barriers and knowledge gaps into integrated system-level concepts that enable real-world deployment. It addresses technical, organisational, regulatory and business dimensions in parallel to bridge the gap between technological capability and practical implementation.

Purpose and objectives

The objective of PreLogAcc is to deliver a comprehensive decision and implementation framework that enables the next step towards large-scale demonstration of highly automated freight transport.

The project focuses on:

• Identifying and prioritising viable logistics use cases with high maturity and scalability potential
• Analysing technical, organisational and business feasibility at a system level
• Clarifying roles, responsibilities and safety governance in automated transport systems
• Preparing regulatory and operational conditions, including remote operation concepts
• Defining KPIs and evaluation frameworks for safety, environmental and societal impact
• Strengthening collaboration across industry, research and public stakeholders

Background and need

Automated freight transport has reached a high level of technical maturity. However, large-scale deployment remains limited due to unresolved system-level challenges rather than technological limitations.

Key challenges include:

• Ambiguity in responsibility and decision-making structures
• Lack of integrated operational and safety concepts
• Regulatory frameworks not yet fully operationalised
• Immature business models and collaboration structures

PreLogAcc addresses these challenges by applying a system-of-systems perspective, integrating five key dimensions: technology, infrastructure, regulation, business models and human factors.

Project approach

PreLogAcc is an analytical and preparatory project. No testing or demonstrations are conducted; instead, the project builds on existing knowledge combined with structured stakeholder input through interviews and workshops.

The work is structured into seven work packages:

• WP1 – Project management and system integration
  Overall coordination, governance and consolidation of results
• WP2 – Nordic collaboration and funding strategy
  Building a strong consortium and preparing for international scaling
• WP3 – Use case definition
  Identifying and prioritising real logistics flows based on operational data
• WP4 – Technical evaluation
  Assessing ODD/TOD alignment, system integration and technical feasibility
• WP5 – Business and behavioural analysis
  Evaluating business models, organisational structures and stakeholder acceptance
• WP6 – Remote operation
  Defining roles, responsibilities and operational concepts for remote control
• WP7 – Impact and evaluation framework
  Developing KPIs and methodologies for assessing safety, environmental and societal effects

Broad consortium

The project is carried out in collaboration with a broad consortium of industry, academia and public stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, transport buyers, logistics companies, cities, authorities and academic partners. This broad collaboration ensures that the project is grounded in real needs and creates strong conditions for implementation.

Expected results and impact

PreLogAcc delivers a structured foundation for a future large-scale system demonstrator of automated logistics.

Key expected outcomes include:

• A validated set of feasible and scalable use cases
• A system-level framework for safe and reliable operations
• Clarified roles, responsibilities and governance structures
• Prepared regulatory pathways and approval strategies
• Defined KPIs and evaluation methods for future demonstrations

Societal benefits

The project contributes to the transition towards safe, sustainable and efficient transport systems by:

• Supporting Vision Zero through improved traffic safety
• Increasing efficiency and resilience in logistics operations
• Enabling fossil-free and energy-efficient transport solutions
• Strengthening industrial competitiveness and innovation capacity
• Supporting scalable solutions for national and international deployment