## 3 Methods  
Having established the theoretical foundations of smart gates, the next section details the methodology used to apply these concepts in a practical case study.  
To lead the investigation towards a proposed gate solution, a design science research (DSR) by [PERSON] [68; 69] was adopted. This methodological approach considered information from several sources of requirements, encompassing both theoretical and practical aspects, as can be seen in Figure 1.  
This study begins by characterizing the environment, identifying the application domain, and understanding the people, techniques, and systems involved. In the relevance cycle, links are made to the environment to identify and evaluate improvements. In the rigor cycle, existing knowledge is investigated to ensure innovation and practical application. In the design cycle, the construction, evaluation, and improvement of the artifact are carried out, integrating knowledge from the relevance and rigor cycles.  
In the first phase, to explore the topic under study and learn about the state of the art in ports, detailed analyses were carried out based on existing knowledge. Therefore, for the theoretical requirements, the following actions were carried out:  
1. Surveying the state of the art in the existing literature on smart ports and smart gates to find the best practices in this area [9];
2. Benchmarking the best international practices of seaports about the management and operation of gates [70].  
On the practical requirements side, the following analyses were carried out:  
1. Direct observation of current operations at the specific road terminal gate was conducted with the active participation of stakeholders, including port users, gate operators, and logistics managers. This collaborative approach allowed stakeholders to provide insights into the operational challenges they face daily, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the current situation (AS-IS). Through these observations, critical areas needing improvement were identified based on both the researchers' analyses and the stakeholders' direct feedback;
2. Meetings with gate operators, drivers, and other stakeholders. These sessions were designed to gather detailed information on the problems faced, requirements, and expectations of each stakeholder group. Each session included both individual and group discussions to ensure diverse perspectives were captured. Stakeholders were actively engaged throughout the entire process, from initial discussions about the digital transformation to the final validation of proposed solutions. This approach ensured that all relevant insights and feedback were integrated into the digital transformation strategy from the beginning of the digital transformation;
3. Based on the feedback gathered from stakeholders during these meetings, problems were categorized into distinct groups to streamline the development of solutions. These categories included problems due to a lack of equipment/infrastructure, a lack of information and agile communication--lack of communication mechanisms; problems due to lack of knowledge/training/awareness, and problems of interoperability and systems integration.  
From this, it was possible to understand what will apply to the study under analysis, moving on to the next phase of the DSR, the construction of the artifact and models, considering the practical case and the relevance of the research. By applying this methodology, it was possible to realize that what was reported in the literature was reflected in the reality of this specific port. This multifaceted approach will ensure that digital implementation is not only viable but also a transformative force in today's logistics landscape.  
Figure 1: Study methodology.