SPRINT: Semantics for PerfoRmant and scalable INteroperability of multimodal Transport

TL;DR

The paper introduces the SPRINT project, which develops a semantic interoperability framework to enhance digital mobility services by providing consistent abstractions and integration of ICT resources across multimodal transport systems.

Contribution

It presents a novel interoperability framework architecture and demonstrator for scalable, semantic-based integration of mobility services, supporting servitization and multi-protocol communication.

Findings

Successful demonstration of the interoperability framework in a multimodal transport scenario

Semantic abstractions improve resource integration and service consistency

Framework supports diverse communication protocols and data formats

Abstract

Interoperability is a long-standing challenge slowing down the digitalization of mobility systems and the provision of full mobility-as-a-service offerings. This paper presents early results achieved by the SPRINT project (Semantics for PerfoRmant and scalable INteroperability of multimodal Transport), an integral part of the Shift2Rail IP4 work programme, in meeting the challenge. It introduces the conceptual architecture and describes the demonstrator implementation of the Interoperability Framework (IF), a solution designed to support servitization in the mobility domain in two directions: From the Travel Application perspective, the IF provides semantically-consistent abstractions of distributed ICT resources offered by Service Provider Companies, insulating them from the "mechanics" of operating remotely over networks and across multiple communication protocols and/or data formats; from the Service Provider Companies perspective, the IF allows leveraging their native ICT computing environment and resources as elements of an end-to-end integrated intermodal mobility solution, insulating them from the specifics of the customer front-end applications.