Data and Technology that drive smarter logistics
Smart logistics starts with smart data.
In the Western Cape, we’re using cutting-edge tools to understand how freight moves, where it’s going, what it costs, and how we can move it better. From real-time vehicle tracking to long-term demand forecasting, data and technology are helping us build a freight system that’s safer, more efficient, and future-ready.
The Western Cape Freight Demand Model™
The Western Cape Freight Demand Model™ (WCFDM™) is South Africa’s only provincial freight model — and a game-changer for evidence-based planning. Built off the national data demand model and customised for the Western Cape, the model shows what is being moved and by which mode (road, rail or pipeline) across the province.
This insight helps us:
- Identify critical freight corridors
- Plan infrastructure investments
- Support modal shifts (e.g. from road to rail)
- Empower municipalities with localised freight data
With dashboards covering flows, costs, and forecasts, the WCFDM™ is the foundation for smarter freight decisions — from provincial policy to private sector planning.
See more here: Western Cape Freight Data Bank
The Freight Management System
The Freight Management System (FMS) is our digital command centre for freight. It brings together data from across the province into one integrated platform — enabling real-time monitoring, strategic planning, and operational coordination.
Key dashboards include:
- Freight Vehicle Tracking – live and historical views of truck movements across the province
- Overload Control – data from weighbridges to monitor compliance and protect road infrastructure
- Hourly Sightings – time-based patterns of freight traffic to inform congestion management
- Infrastructure Map – a spatial overview of roads, rail, ports, and logistics hubs
- Haulier Dashboard – secure operator access to driver and vehicle behaviour data
Together, the WCFDM™ and FMS give us the tools to:
- Reduce freight costs and improve competitiveness
- Enhance road safety and reduce overloading
- Plan for future freight growth and infrastructure needs
- Support industry with actionable, transparent data
This is what smarter logistics looks like — powered by data, driven by insight, and built for the future.