Abstract:

Freight transport constitutes a fundamental component of urban mobility systems, as it ensures the efficient distribution of goods within cities. Despite its importance, many companies in the sector concentrate their investment on operational assets such as tractor units and trailers, while allocating limited resources to digital tools that could improve fleet management. This situation generates a technological gap that limits organizational efficiency and highlights the need for accessible digital solutions in transport management.

The objective of this study is to develop and implement a no-code digital solution for mobile asset management in a freight transport leasing company. Additionally, it aims to enable Urban Mobility Engineering students at the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Energía y Movilidad (UPIEM) in Mexico City to acquire applied competencies in digital system design and transport operations, despite not having prior programming training.

The methodology consisted of five phases. First, operational challenges within the company were identified. Second, a conceptual design of the digital solution was developed to integrate key operational information. Third, the system was built using the no-code platform AppSheet. Fourth, a pilot implementation was conducted within the company. Finally, the experience was evaluated from both operational and educational perspectives.

The results show that students without programming backgrounds were able to design and implement a functional digital solution, developing competencies in data structuring, system logic, and process optimization, while the company improved the organization and accessibility of its operational information through the implemented tool.

In contrast to training-focused approaches, this study emphasizes the development of a functional digital solution by students using no-code tools and demonstrates how accessible technologies can support digital transformation in freight transport companies through university–industry collaboration.

These findings suggest that integrating no-code tools into project-based learning environments can provide scalable and low-cost solutions while enabling students without programming backgrounds to participate in digital innovation. This approach also shows strong potential for replication in similar educational and industry contexts.

Keywords:

Project-Based Learning, University–Industry Collaboration, No-Code, Digital Transformation, Freight Transport.