Leveraging Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technology for Cold Chain Management in Freight Transportation

Abstract

The management of the cold chain in transportation is a crucial issue as it affects the quality and safety of perishable goods such as food, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. To ensure proper temperature control and monitoring during transportation, the certification of data is essential. Traditional methods for data management, like paper-based records and manual processes, can be unreliable and cause errors, leading to potential food waste. The integration of Internet of Things and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) presents a promising solution for the challenges in cold chain management and can help to improve the overall efficiency of the process. Internet of Things devices can gather and transmit sensor data in real-time, while DLT can ensure the authenticity and immutability of the data. The combination of these technologies can offer a transparent and reliable solution for cold chain management, improving the safety and quality of perishable goods during transportation. Additionally, DLT eliminates the need for intermediaries, enabling direct exchange of data between stakeholders, leading to greater efficiency and accountability. In this paper, we propose a system architecture focused on the cold chain management in transportation that integrates Internet of Things and DLT. In such a system, the Internet of Things component provides real-time data collection whereas the DLT component ensures a secure data management.