Solution to improve logistic difficulties for livestock transportation

Animal transport is increasing in the world, accounting for significant effects on economic value, animal welfare and CO2 emissions. Animal transports also have implications for the spread of infectious animal diseases which can have a dramatic impact on both health and economic values. An economically efficient and sustainable system for the transport of animals may also result in increasing the competitiveness of rural areas and farmers, which means that cultural and environmental policy objectives can be strengthened.

Project description

The aim of the project is to deliver strategic planning and route optimization tools to reduce animal movements and thus also CO2 emissions by 20-40 %. The methods and planning tools to be used have been developed for the forestry industry and will in this project be adapted and refined to the needs of the slaughter industry. The project is interdisciplinary with a unique combination of skills and it has distinct and diverse positive effects.

1. Climate goal: reducing CO2 emissions.
2. Enhancing the competitiveness of the industry: reduced costs for slaughterhouses
3. Increased animal welfare: reduced transport time
4. Environmental: biodiversity-enhanced competitiveness of farming in Sweden and thus the ability to preserve natural grazing areas and its biodiversity
5. Human health and economic values: improved meat quality and the possibility of limiting the spread of contagious animal diseases

The project is carried out together with Linköping University, HKScan and Skogforsk, and partly funded by VINNNOVA. Creative Optimization will develop a decision support tool that will read data from HKScan. Data is used with the optimization tool to create transportation plans and visualize the plans in maps and schedules. The project result will be used for several scientific reports published by Linköping University.