ISO/TS 18625:2017

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 18625
First edition
2017-10
Freight containers — Container
Tracking and Monitoring Systems
(CTMS): Requirements
Conteneurs de fret — Système de suivi et de surveillance : Exigences
Reference number
©
ISO 2017
© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
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ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Abbreviated terms . 2
5 General information . 2
5.1 System architecture . 2
5.2 System functions . 3
5.3 System operation . 4
5.4 System interfaces . 5
5.5 System data management . 5
5.6 System data safeguard measures . 5
5.7 System levels of performance . 6
5.8 Communications . 6
5.8.1 General. 6
5.9 Breadth of capability . 7
5.10 Depth of capability . 7
6 CTMS system requirements. 7
6.1 Operational scenarios . 7
6.1.1 General. 7
6.1.2 “Event Library”: Journey segments and associated events . 7
6.2 Specific system requirements . 8
6.2.1 General. 8
6.2.2 Physical/structural requirements . 9
6.2.3 Environmental requirements . 9
6.2.4 Operational and performance requirements . 9
6.3 Readability . 9
6.3.1 General. 9
6.3.2 Container monitoring .10
6.4 Accuracy and reliability of the CTMS .10
6.5 Data .10
7 Container Tracking Device (CTD) .11
7.1 General device information (variety/range of devices) .11
7.2 Device installation/mounting .11
7.3 General device functions for security .11
8 Infrastructure elements .12
8.1 General .12
8.2 Data interface(s) .12
8.3 Other infrastructure elements (any other non-device distributed elements) .12
9 Safety and regulatory considerations.12
Annex A (informative) Event library .14
Bibliography .18
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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electrotechnical standardization.
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described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
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URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 104, Freight containers, Subcommittee
SC 4, Identification and communication.
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Through communication with a broad range of potential Container Tracking and Monitoring System
(CTMS) users, much has been learned about needed capabilities and the timeline for providing certain
solution levels. Initially, it was assumed that the most immediate needs would be for high-tier (i.e. high-
capability) solutions to protect dangerous or valuable cargoes. Potential users made clear that point
solutions for dangerous or valuable cargoes have already been developed for these needs. These point
solutions are in use today. Instead, the most immediate potential demand seems to be for “low-tier”
solutions that deliver a minimal but important capability at low cost, capable of being broadly deployed
and used. Starting at the low tier reflects a building block approach that can be expanded as technology
and requirements permit.
This document summarizes the aforementioned discussions. This document provides a systemic
approach for automatic identification, tracking and monitoring for freight containers. Specifically,
it provides guidance for the requirements (operational and otherwise) for a system, and its enabling
devices, used to track, monitor and/or report the status of the container according to the needs,
requirements and specifications determined by the user. The CTMS would provide
a) an unambiguous unique identification of the container,
b) location of the container with a selectable degree of precision as defined by the user of the system
(there are various options for accuracy and it is left to the user to determine what is best for the
application), and
c) status, where applicable, of container condition parameters as defined by the user of the system
which may include parameters related to container environment, container condition, container
integrity, container load status, etc.
The collection of this information is done through one or more selectable communications interfaces.
The format, frequency and granularity in which the information is accessed and presented will be
defined by the user of the system and is outside the scope of this document.
Though not used in this document, recognition is given to the standardization work of
— ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 in the area related to air interface, data semantic and syntax construction,
conformance and identification, location and security of items,
— ISO/IEC/TR 24729-4, and
— ISO/TC 104 in the area of freight container security, including electronic seals [(e-seals) ISO 18185
(all parts)] and container identification.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 18625:2017(E)
Freight containers — Container Tracking and Monitoring
Systems (CTMS): Requirements
1 Scope
This document is intended to be applicable to freight containers as defined in ISO 668 as well as to
other freight containers not defined in ISO 668 and to container ancillary equipment such as road and
terminal chassis, generator sets and power packs.
This document provides guidance for the requirements (operational and otherwise) for a system,
and its enabling devices, used to track, monitor and/or report the status of the container, hereinafter
referred to as the Container Tracking and Monitoring System (CTMS). The use of a CTMS is optional.
The party opting to use
...