Overview
ISO 17262:2012 - Intelligent transport systems - Automatic vehicle and equipment identification - Numbering and data structures - defines generic numbering and data structures for unambiguous identification of equipment used in intermodal goods transport. Often referenced as the Intermodal Goods Transport Numbering and Data Structures, the standard models identification and application data independently of the physical data carrier using Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) (ISO/IEC 8824 series). ISO 17262:2012 focuses on data content and encoding (including support for optimized schemes such as ASN.1 Packed Encoding Rules (PER)) while explicitly excluding physical interfaces, dimensions and transmission/storage protocol elements (headers, frame markers, checksums).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Data modelling with ASN.1: Formal ASN.1 types are defined (see normative ASN.1 module in Annex A) to ensure interoperability and extensibility across AEI/AVI systems.
- Intermodal identification structures: Types cover transport object identifiers, transport object types, AEI message types, reader location, position and component status.
- Standardized content structures: Specific constructs such as SwapBodyStructure (based on EN 13044) and representations for freight land conveyance content (CS10) and ITS consignment in UBL format (CS11).
- System for number allocation: Data defined require a centralized control and distribution mechanism for number series to avoid ambiguity and provide appropriate security - the registration authority defined in ISO 14816 applies.
- Interoperability focus: Data definitions are carrier-agnostic and designed to integrate with related standards (e.g., ISO 10374, ISO 26683, ISO 18000 series).
- Scope exclusions: Physical aspects (interfaces, dimensions) and transmission/storage protocol fields are out of scope - the standard concentrates on semantic data structures.
Applications and users
ISO 17262:2012 is intended for organizations implementing AEI/AVI solutions for intermodal transport, including:
- ITS solution architects and system integrators designing AEI readers, AEI managers and message displays.
- Terminal operators and logistics providers requiring reliable terminal access control, tracking and monitoring of load units, vehicles and swap bodies.
- Equipment manufacturers and tag/reader vendors needing standardized data models and encodings.
- Standards bodies and implementers combining AEI data with related protocols and goods-content standards (ISO 26683, UBL).
Practical uses include automated terminal access control, unambiguous equipment identification across modes, encoding of transport object messages, and enabling efficient binary encodings (PER) for constrained links.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 17262:2012, intermodal goods transport, AEI, Automatic Vehicle and Equipment Identification, ASN.1, PER, numbering and data structures, swap body, terminal monitoring.