The ecological challenges of the transportation sector

Transportation is the activity that contributes the most to France's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and since 1990, transport GHGs have increased by 9%.

Companies are facing regulatory and social pressures to adopt more environmentally friendly operations, reconciling the need for environmental responsibility with economic performance.

The cost of implementing sustainable practices, investing in clean technologies, and redesigning supply chains represents another obstacle.

How can a TMS help businesses address these challenges?

Originally, the purpose of a TMS is to facilitate supply chain management by providing a centralized platform for route planning, load management, shipment tracking, and performance analysis.

A beneficial side effect of optimization in this environment is sustainability, by reducing sources of inefficiency in supply chains such as poorly managed inventory levels or partially filled trucks.

However, the potential ecological benefits of a TMS go beyond those created by default.

The various features of a TMS that result in more sustainable supply chains include:

1. Route Optimization

By calculating the most efficient routes, a TMS can significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Advanced algorithms take into account factors such as traffic, vehicle type, and delivery windows, ensuring the selection of optimal routes.

2. Load Optimization

Maximizing the load carried on each trip reduces the total number of trips needed, thereby reducing emissions.

A TMS can help plan better-packed loads and fuller shipments.

3. Mode Shift Optimization

A TMS facilitates the use of more sustainable modes of transportation.

For example, the TMS could suggest using waterways instead of road transport for goods destined for certain remote regions, significantly reducing carbon emissions.

By evaluating and comparing the environmental impact of different modes of transportation, a TMS enables companies to make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals.

4. Carbon Footprint Calculation

Thanks to the integrated carbon footprint calculation module in a TMS, companies can accurately assess the environmental impact of their transport activities.

By analyzing the data provided by this module, they can understand the ecological performance of their logistics network and make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint.

By providing detailed reports on CO2 emissions by routes, vehicles, or types of goods, this solution facilitates compliance with regulations, sustainable route planning, and transparent communication of the company's sustainability efforts.

5. Improved Collaboration through Global Supply Chain Visibility

Another advantage of TMS is their ability to foster collaboration and visibility within the supply chain.

By allowing different stakeholders in the chain, such as suppliers, carriers, and customers, to share real-time information about orders, stocks, and transport capacities, a TMS optimizes the planning and execution of logistics operations.

By promoting closer coordination between different links in the chain, a TMS helps reduce delays, setbacks, and unnecessary trips, contributing to an overall reduction in CO2 emissions.

6. Integration of Alternative Fuels and Electric Vehicles

A TMS supports the integration of alternative fuels and electric vehicles (EVs) into the logistics system by managing specific operational requirements such as charging infrastructure and fuel availability.

This shift to cleaner energy sources for transport fleets is essential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

7. Carrier Selection

A TMS allows companies to choose carriers that adhere to environmental standards or use cleaner modes of transport, thus promoting greener supply chains.

8. Fleet and Driver Management

TMS also offers advanced fleet and driver management features, allowing companies to monitor and optimize the performance of their vehicle fleet.

By providing accurate data on fuel consumption, driving behaviors, and downtime, a TMS enables fleet managers to identify improvement opportunities and implement measures to reduce CO2 emissions.

Measure and reduce your carbon footprint with Carbon Tower

MyTower's carbon footprint calculation solution, integrated into the TMS or as a standalone solution, provides the ideal environment for measuring, optimizing, and sharing detailed reports on all your transportation flows.

Our calculation algorithm, which is part of the solution, not only ensures compliance with regulations requiring emissions reporting but also allows for the development of scenarios to reduce your carbon footprint.