Design and control of physical internet multimodal hubs based on the go-green ANEMONA methodology

Abstract

The Physical Internet (PI or π) paradigm enables globally efficient and sustainable logistics networks by orchestrating Industry 4.0 technologies. π-hubs design must accommodate diverse configurations to balance critical performance metrics, which are challenging to optimise simultaneously under abnormal circumstances. This paper applies the Go-Green ANEMONA methodology for designing architectural elements and functional components required for implementing holonic control in PI multimodal hubs. The holonic architecture is deployed in discrete-event simulation of a multimodal π -hub and tested under normal conditions and three perturbed scenarios for fluvial mode, previously unanalysed in the PI context. Results demonstrate that leveraging autonomous decision-making capabilities of resource holons enables π-hubs to achieve higher efficiency in container routing and greater resilience against disruptions. However, optimising the trade-off between energy consumption and operational performance remains a key challenge for hub managers.