CONTEXT
In France, the modal share of rail freight was 9% in 2021. In 2022, the government set itself the target of increasing this share to 30% by 2030 and increasing the share of river freight.
For over 30 years, many players have been working to limit the environmental impact of freight transportation, one of the options being to switch to river and rail transport. The Appel d’aiR program aims to play its part in this dynamic by drawing on new digital technologies.
The aim of this national programme is: To encourage transport and logistics professionals to use digital assistance for modal shift to rail and river transport which in turn will improve their performance.
To roll out the programme, multiply its benefits and create a positive global dynamic, we are setting up sector-based working groups to adopt an approach tailored to the specific characteristics of each sector.
On 25 March 2022, the French Minister for Ecological Transition approved the Appel d’aiR programme eligibility for energy saving certificates.
Supported by AI Cargo Foundation, the programme aims to:
· Raise awareness among 4,000 companies about digital assistance for modal shift
· Create a digital assistance label
· Label 250 companies
· Digitally assist the equivalent of 2 billion t/km for modal shift by river and rail
· Ensure the volume of energy-saving certificates amounts to 1 TWH CUMAC over the period 2022-2025
AI Cargo Foundation is a centre for technological innovation, designed to support the Transport & Logistics sector in its energy and environmental transition. It brings together expert industry skills to develop a range of digital services to help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
This non-profit association is funded by the French government and supported by the Agence Innovation Transport (AIT) of the Ministry of Ecological Transition. It is within this framework that it runs the national Appel d’aiR programme.
Respect for conditions of economic neutrality is guaranteed by the charter for digital usage.
The digital platform is owned by AI Cargo Foundation.
Digital certification (under development) will assure the participants commitment to modal shift (link to label specifications).
Steering is provided by a group of private individuals, professional organisations and freight transport institutions (AIT, etc.).
The programme is financed by Energy Saving Certificates