Overview
ISO 26683-2:2013 is part of the ISO 26683 series on Intelligent Transport Systems for freight land conveyance content identification and communication. This part defines application interface profiles used to agglomerate and transfer land cargo transport data (within the architecture given in ISO 26683-1). Its purpose is to increase cargo visibility and enable interoperable data exchange using current technical standards and technologies (RFID, DSRC/CALM, cellular, bar codes, etc.).
Key SEO keywords: ISO 26683-2:2013, intelligent transport systems, freight land conveyance, application interface profiles, cargo visibility, RFID, DSRC, CALM, data agglomeration.
Key Topics
- Application interface profiles: A taxonomy of optional profiles (e.g., L1, L2, L3 and D1 profile families) that specify methods and modes for transferring cargo content data.
- Profile examples: Profiles referencing technologies such as ISO 15628 DSRC, ISO 21215 (CALM M5Hz), ISO 10374 (automatic identification), GSM/UMTS/LTE/IMS, ISO/IEC 18000 (RFID), and barcode/OCR-based agglomeration.
- Data agglomeration: Methods to aggregate item-level data from tags, trailers, or multiple transport units to on-board equipment (OBE) or infrastructure interrogators.
- Levels of transfer: Defined transfer contexts - e.g., tag-to-interrogator, trailer-to-OBE, OBE-to-infrastructure - aligning with the architectural context in Part 1.
- Conformance and testing: Requirements for testing, conformance assessment, marking/labeling and declarations (security and further profiles handled in Parts 3–4).
- Normative references: Extensive cross-references to related ISO and ISO/IEC standards for RFID, bar code symbologies, UBL/UN/CEFACT and ITS communications.
Applications
Who uses ISO 26683-2:2013 and why:
- Logistics and transport operators: To implement interoperable cargo visibility solutions that audit consignment contents, especially for sealed containers and multi-haulier flows.
- Systems integrators and ITS engineers: To design vehicle-mounted OBE, trailer interrogators and roadside infrastructure that aggregate and forward cargo data.
- RFID and barcode solution providers: To align tag/reader interaction models and data encoding with ITS profile requirements.
- Shippers, consignors and consignees: To obtain higher-fidelity real-time or near-real-time visibility and to support electronic auditing of cargo.
- Regulatory and port authorities: To support inspection, safety and customs processes through standardized data interfaces.
Practical benefits include improved end-to-end cargo visibility, standardized data agglomeration methods, and interoperability across technologies (RFID, DSRC/CALM, cellular, barcodes).
Related standards
- ISO 26683-1 (Context, architecture and referenced standards)
- ISO 15628 (DSRC application layer)
- ISO/IEC 18000 series (RFID air interface)
- ISO 10374 (Automatic identification for freight containers)
- ISO 17262 / 17263 (AVI numbering, system parameters)
- ISO 17687, UBL, UN/CEFACT (data dictionaries and message sets)
For implementers, ISO 26683-2:2013 is a practical profile library to build interoperable, standards-based freight visibility solutions across land transport networks.