SENATOR, a European initiative, is leveraging blockchain technology to develop urban planning policies that will facilitate sustainable and secure last-mile operations. The project uses four unique governance structures to address significant urban challenges through decentralization and transparency.
Endorsed and funded by the European Commission, SENATOR or "Smart Network Operator Platform enabling Shared, Integrated, and more Sustainable Urban Freight Logistics," is developed by an international consortium led by Correos.
At the heart of SENATOR lies a smart network operator powered by an ICT platform designed for integrated logistics operations. It aims to fully optimize freight delivery services in urban areas, a subject of critical importance within the European Union.
The approach adopted by SENATOR will curtail the distance and frequency of freight delivery routes across urban locations. This move is expected to enhance the provision of real-time information, planning, and forecasts linked to these tasks.
Through a partnership with Jelurida, the developer of the Ardor blockchain, SENATOR is contributing significantly to the project within the blockchain.
Furthermore, the SENATOR project links freight delivery services and collection points to incorporate freight delivery needs into urban planning. This approach mitigates the negative impact freight distribution often has on urban environments, fostering agent cooperation and superior solutions for all parties involved.
The Ardor blockchain, a development of Jelurida, fuels the SENATOR solution. This technology is critical as it facilitates bridges to other blockchains. Moreover, Ardor aids SENATOR in supporting the traceability of essential transactions, like freight interchanges between various logistic operators and the traceability of cold chain variables. The proof-of-concept phase will utilize a SENATOR Ardor Node to access the public Ardor blockchain and a centralized database connected to the Node, which handles the data of every transaction initiated from the SENATOR services.
Due to the real-world implications of the project, transaction throughput and efficiency are vital. Such scalability and flexibility are indispensable when dealing with real-world use cases, as services must function optimally at all times.
SENATOR also employs a digital identity solution known as SENATOR ID, which applies to individual users, entities (including IoT objects and vehicles), and legal persons. This comprehensive approach allows SENATOR to cater to various current and future use cases.
A preliminary trial of the SENATOR system will take place in Zaragoza, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland. Each area houses an Urban Living Lab, which facilitates real-world testing of this innovative approach. Users in these regions can access the new services via a dedicated mobile application and a web-based interface. Furthermore, third-party platforms and developers can access these solutions through a native API.
