Evaluation method for freight logistics innovations

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of best practice impact assessment methodologies and to build up a common approach for the assessment of logistics innovations. The work is based on the EC-funded project BESTFACT, Best Practice Factory for Freight Transport. Best practice is considered as an existing approach or solution providing an answer for a relevant problem or challenge in freight transport. The impact evaluation of these innovations is based on concepts enabling a rational selection, consisting of strategic targets, topics covered, transferability and novelty of best practice. A freight specific multi criteria analysis (MCA) approach was designed, integrated into this evaluation method, and applied on each solution. The high impacts demonstrated in some evaluations of Best Practice cases are clearly showing that some initiatives are more beneficial than others. This might lead to an increased Best Practice transfer to other businesses, countries or cities