A Evolução dos centros de informação e o surgimento dos observatórios de transporte e logística

This study begins with the historical review on databases and information centers as seminal structures for transport and logistics observatories. A systematic literature review on the concepts and the emergence of databases, information centers and observatories was conducted. The use of databases and information centers in transport and logistics field is analyzed, as well as their evolution to an organized observatory model. From the evidence found in the literature, it can be observed that databases and information centers constitute the initial structures of the observatories, which arise as they fulfill functions that are not served by other structures or organizations. Considering historical conditions, such as the information crisis and technological advances in the post-World War II period, the emergence of new phenomena in the area of Information Science is identified, that involves the creation of information centers and their variations, encouraged by the need to obtain useful and relevant information. Complementarily, the evolution of the transport and logistics observatories and their challenges in information management for decision making in this area are traced, which requires systemic, global and interdisciplinary treatment.