Research for Transport and Logistics Industry: Linking the TLI and Research

Logistics and transport are considered two sides of a coin. Without effective transportation systems, logistics could not deliver its advantages in full. Similarly, highly efficient logistics could make the transportation more systematic, predictable, effective and efficient.

The level of performances in the Transport and Logistics Industry (TLI) depends on the knowledge dissemination and transfers followed by the opportunities to access and apply knowledge and good practices. The researchers could play significant as well as a major role in this and it is the duty and responsibility of industry associations, professionals, and academia to develop a firm platform to achieve these goals. 

The R4TLI attempts to build the required research capability in the industry, attract and retain skilled professionals with an interest in research. Accordingly, the two-day research conference in TLI will be held in Colombo next month. The conference is chaired by Prof. Amal Kumarage whereas the Scientific Committee is co-chaired by Prof. Chandana Wirasinghe of the University of Calgary. Dr. T.L. Gunaruwan serves as the Conference Editor. 

The President of the Eastern Asian Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) Prof. Tetsuo Yai, Professor from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Energy Consultant, Resource Management Associates Ltd. and Gayan Fernando, Head of Safety, Lafarge Holcim, Sri Lanka will speak during the inaugural day, on the 3rd to be held at the Kingsbury Hotel. The full day program that will be held on 4 June at the Galadari Hotel has four parallel tracks of research presentations in the following 16 key areas of LTI.

These are transport policy, urban development, freight transport, supply chain performance, transport planning, road safety, logistics, supply chain risk and governance, public transport, road transport operations, maritime transport, warehouse and inventory management, transport modelling, railway transport, air transport, and procurement management. 

The program will consist of two invited Papers. Introduction of Urban Freight Survey in Tokyo Metropolitan Area by Dr. Naohisa Okamoto, Professor, University of Tsukuba, Secretary General of Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) is the first while Dr. Shinya Hanaoka, Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Deputy Secretary of the EASTS will present the second paper.

The interest on research in the TLI could be developed through strengthening the synergy between researchers and practitioners in the industry. This conference will showcase the strong commitment by the TLI in Sri Lanka on research at the award ceremony. In this regard, Hayley’s Advantis, Master Hellie’s Engineering Consultants Ltd., Hemas Transportation, CINEC Maritime Campus, Expolanka Freight, South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), Micro Cars and Access Engineering, have come forward to sponsor the awards in transport and logistics. 

There are seven awards lined up under various categories. CILTSL award for the Best Research (overall) and SLSTL award for the Best Student Research are the key categories. Awards will be presented for the best Research in Ports and Shipping; Transport Planning and Policy; Air Transport; Supply Chain Management; and Freight Forwarding and Logistics. The newly formed Sri Lanka Society for Transport and Logistics (SLSTL) have come together with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka to inaugurate R4TLI – Research for Transport and Logistics Industry, and the event is sponsored by Walkers CML.