EiFa-S
Development of a showcase platform for unified timetables in combined transport
EiFa-S develops a neutral showcase platform that brings together harmonised Combined Transport (CT) timetable and connection information, making intermodal transport services easier to discover, compare and integrate into logistics planning.
Project information
Ongoing
February 2026 - July 2028
mFUND innovation initiative
German Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) mFUND
Factsheet
- Combined Transport
- Intermodal freight
- Digital interoperability
- Timetable harmonisation
- Physical Internet
Project overview
Combined Transport services play a critical role in enabling more sustainable freight transport across Europe. However, timetable and connection information remains fragmented, inconsistent and difficult to access across operators and modes. This creates barriers for shippers, freight forwarders and logistics service providers seeking to evaluate and adopt Combined Transport solutions.
EiFa-S addresses this challenge by creating a harmonised framework for Combined Transport timetable data and implementing a neutral showcase platform where transport connections can be searched, compared and visualised. Building on the earlier EiFa feasibility study, the project transforms conceptual work into a practical technical solution capable of reaching implementation maturity through piloting and validation. Through its European partnership, EiFa-S also promotes transferability beyond the German market and contributes to wider interoperability ambitions across Europe.
Objectives and expected outcomes
Objectives
EiFa-S aims to:
Increase transparency of Combined Transport connections through cross-provider visibility of schedules and services.
Develop a harmonised timetable template and technical specifications for Combined Transport services.
Establish consistent terminal coding, data structures and interface specifications.
Create a neutral system architecture enabling timetable information from multiple actors to be integrated and compared.
Deliver a user-friendly showcase platform supporting route search, connection enquiries and door-to-door planning.
Validate the solution with stakeholders and achieve deployment readiness at TRL 6-7.
Expected outcomes
The project will deliver:
A publicly available harmonised Combined Transport timetable specification.
A neutral data model and integration architecture supporting multiple data providers.
An upgraded Intermodal Map functioning as a central entry point for Combined Transport information.
Tools supporting route comparison, timetable visibility and intermodal decision-making.
Improved access to Combined Transport information for shippers, freight forwarders and logistics planners.
Recommendations for broader implementation and European replication.
Demonstrations, pilots and validation
EiFa-S combines standardisation activities with practical implementation and validation.
The project upgrades the existing SGKV Intermodal Map into a demonstration platform integrating:
Harmonised timetable data.
Combined Transport terminal information.
Cross-operator connection information.
Door-to-door routing functionalities.
The platform will be tested and validated with Combined Transport stakeholders through continuous engagement activities, workshops and pilot applications. A dedicated Collaboration Lab environment will support simulation and testing of Combined Transport relations involving rail, road and inland waterway transport.
Stakeholder feedback forms a central element of the validation process, ensuring that the resulting solution is practical, scalable and aligned with market needs.
Innovative solutions
EiFa-S delivers several innovations supporting digital interoperability in freight transport:
Harmonised Combined Transport timetable model
Applicable across operators and transport modes.
Neutral showcase platform
Providing centralised visibility of Combined Transport services.
Standardised terminal coding framework
Enabling interoperability between systems.
System architecture and interfaces
For aggregating and exchanging timetable information from different sources.
Collaboration Lab environment
Allowing testing and assessment of freight transport alternatives.
Enhanced Intermodal Map
Supporting intermodal planning, connection enquiries and modal shift assessments.
These innovations provide important building blocks towards more open, connected and digitally integrated logistics networks.
ALICE's role
EiFa-S directly supports ALICE's mission to accelerate the transition towards efficient, resilient and zero-emission freight and logistics systems through improved digital interoperability and multimodal integration.
Within the project, ALICE contributes through:
- European stakeholder engagement and user validation.
- Organisation of stakeholder workshops and requirements gathering.
- Definition and validation of user needs and use cases.
- Business model reflection and deployment perspectives.
- Dissemination and communication of project results at European level.
- Knowledge sharing through ALICE working groups, webinars, conferences and the Knowledge Platform.
- Promotion of the project within Physical Internet-related activities and communities.
ALICE also supports the positioning of project outcomes within wider European digitalisation, multimodality and modal shift initiatives. The project contributes directly to ALICE’s Physical Internet roadmap and broader ambitions for interoperable logistics systems.
Related ALICE activities
Related project contributions
- International Physical Internet Conference (IPIC)
- Transport Research Arena (TRA)
Project resources
- Project website: Missing information
- LinkedIn page: Missing information
- ALICE Knowledge Platform: https://knowledgeplatform.etp-logistics.eu/course/view.php?id=381
- Project presentation materials: Missing information
- Project flyer: Missing information
Project consortium
EiFa-S is coordinated by Studiengesellschaft für den Kombinierten Verkehr e. V. (SGKV) (Berlin), with partners HaCon Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, UIRR, and ALICE.
The project is funded under the mFUND innovation initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV).
Consortium members
Related news
Related events
EU funding
EiFa-S is funded under the mFUND innovation initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV).