Digitalization of Transport and Logistics (T&L) is one of the key pillars of the European Digital Single Market strategy. For its development, skillful and well trained personnel with new competences in the T&L sector are needed. Integration of European core transport network, creation of the Single European Railway Area (SERA) and multinational operating environment is another important trend for the transport sector. Both of these trends require new unified supranational educational approaches for all participants in T&L higher education and VET. Enhancing e-learning and cross-curricular opportunities in universities and VET institutions is a way to harmonize the content of study practices over countries, and to prepare students and trainees for working in digital and multinational environments. New education methodology oriented to digital training environment, digital courses with new curricula, content and tools, are needed. Implementation of such concept will enable open, year-round studying and more flexible specialization and cross-study opportunities between the educational institutions, as well as a new way of matching work and study to shorten study times, make study paths more versatile, and, ultimately, secure better employment. The project aims to foster interchange and cooperation between education and training systems within the frame of digitalization of T&L under new strategy of European Union – the Single European Railway Area. To achieve the aim, a virtual study environment will be established by network of four partner organizations. In this open and joint environment, every student or trainee will have the possibility to create an individual profile of study, in which selected themes from partner organizations are listed. The main activities of the project: 1. Descriptions of measurable competence characteristics for digitally supported transport and logistic systems. 2. Adaptation of selected e-learning study materials, prepared by partners, for virtual team work. 3. Creation of the web environment as virtual learning environment for cross-studying. 4. Development of methodological approach for e-learning materials based on Carpe Diem learning design process (https://www.gillysalmon.com/carpe-diem.htm). 5. Development of quality criteria, assessment and feedback principles for online model of T&L education implementation. 6. Developing the concept and piloting of the simulator for digitally supported logistics systems as game-oriented virtual training tool for T&L professionals. 7. Development of simulator based training for VET in the field of train driving and train management. 8. Development of virtual laboratory for logistics as an interactive study environment for demonstrating innovative logistic solutions and processes. 9. Development of virtual application for railway simulator for using in study process for practical exercises. 10. Intensive program for teaching staff (online training). 11. Piloting of virtual and joint cross-study process and e-learning methods, including webinars and virtual learning. 12. Conference on project results – the Multiplier Event. Dissemination activities for promoting the developed approaches, tools and achieved results will be done via academic and scientific publications, webinars, open virtual thematic seminars etc. Methodology. The main development methodology, the so called "waterfall model", is selected for the following consistent project phases: competence training area analysis, competence evaluation methodology design, methodology implementation and web environment installation, project outcome verification and project follow-up (dissemination phase).
The key action of the project is through strategic partnership to foster innovation and the exchange of good study practices through a strategic partnership between the TTK University of Applied Sciences (Tallinn, Estonia), TSI – Transport and Telecommunication Institute (Latvia Riga), HAMK – Häme University of Applied Sciences (Finland, Riihimäki), and VTI – Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (Sweden Linköping). The main objective was innovation - the creation of an innovative study module in the field of transportation and logistics for professional higher education. The most important priority was to provide new opportunities for open education and innovative study practices in a digital era. Activities undertaken were grouped under two intellectual outputs, IO1 and IO2. Under output O1 were achieved: Virtual and open cross-study curricula for digital environment of T&L systems were developed. For that the following activities were implemented: 1) Definition and description of measurable competences for digital support; 2) Development of quality criteria and assessment and feedback principles for e-supported T&L education; 3) Development of methodological approach for cross-institutional study and virtual teamwork using e-learning materials based on the Carpe Diem learning design process; 4) Development of the concept for piloting the simulators of digitally supported logistics systems; 5) Adaptation of selected e-learning and video study materials prepared by partners for virtual teamwork and their piloting in the cross-institutional study process. Under output O2 "Simulation tool based on games strategy (TRELOGIC) for training and e-learning of T&L", a software package was designed that can be used in the training process. To achieve the planned results for output IO2, the following activities were implemented and reported on: 1. Development of an algorithm for the TRELOGIC application for Transport and Logistics (T&L); 2. Development of content and set of information materials; 3. Preparation of essential background material for TRELOGIC application; 4. Development of pilot software for the TRELOGIC system; 5. Development of detailed TRELOGIC Manual in English; 6. Development of TRELOGIC Manuals in the local languages of partners; 7. Development of video demo of TRELOGIC application; 8. Testing of TRELOGIC application during piloting sessions. The TRELOGIC system consists elements of network technologies, databases, and strategic role games based on simulation modelling. The TRELOGIC game-based learning system is used to increase the readiness of students and SME professionals to work in the single European T&L market. The project achieved the desired impact at the local level: 1. More harmonized and attractive T&L education and training programs, in line with the needs and expectations of individuals as well as industry demands; 2. more modern, dynamic, committed, and professional environment inside project partner institutions; 3. Improved skill levels and employability through online self-assessment. The project achieved the desired impact at the regional and national level: 1. Increased workforce mobility and engagement in lifelong learning, helping students to better plan their careers and enhance their employability potential. 2. Facilitation of the assessment by educators of the compatibility of educational systems and sectors across national borders. The project achieved the desired long-term impact at the European and/or international level: 1. Promotion of the sharing, storing, findability, and interoperability of educational resources. 2. Promotion of the use of learning outcomes based on unified T&L competence when describing and defining qualifications, parts of qualifications and curricula, in support of teaching, learning, and assessment.