Technology And Automation Will Define The Future Of Highway Transport
Expertise and automation will define the way forward for highway transport in keeping with new IRU analysis, but important obstacles stand in the best way.
- Within the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, know-how-driven innovation will be key to assembly the challenges of tomorrow within the street transport sector, in response to a survey published today by IRU.
- This matter will top the agenda of the IRU World Congress, a new international event for transport, logistics and mobility which is opening this week in Muscat, Oman.
The global snapshot survey is based on interview knowledge from 450 transport firms throughout Europe, the GCC and Asia, and reveals the following headline findings:
- Majority of transport companies in Europe, Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (57%) view geopolitical uncertainty as the most important threat to their growth.
- Technology and innovation key to overcoming challenges and securing the future of the industry - over three quarters (76%) of transport companies surveyed anticipate autonomous trucks to change into a viable option on the roads within the following decade.
- On the opening of its World Congress in Oman, IRU, the world street transport organisation, urges the industry to fix the digital foundations of transport so as to fully benefit from automation and different improvements.
Findings reveal that transport companies are involved about macro world points. Over half (57%) see geopolitical uncertainty as the most important threat going through the sector - from escalating worldwide commerce wars to rising considerations around Brexit. The chance of worldwide recession and the challenge of keeping up with altering customer demand are jointly seen because the second greatest threats to transport corporations at 52%.
Umberto de Pretto, IRU’s Secretary General, commented: “The world transport system touches the lives of every of the planet’s seven billion individuals, from the meals we eat to the buyer items we purchase. So it’s perhaps not surprising that a lot of the problems going through society right this moment are also considered by transport companies to be their greatest challenges. These embody some of the main themes that dominate the international agenda, including geopolitics, commerce and the setting.”
Tech to offer a secure, successful, sustainable future
Transport firms recognise that developments in expertise and innovation will be key to building a protected, profitable and sustainable business sooner or later. One in three (33%) transport firms throughout each area consider that enhancing security will be the biggest innovation opportunity, whereas one in 5 cite automation.
In reality, transport corporations are extraordinarily optimistic concerning the timescales for automation - over three quarters (76%) of transport corporations anticipate autonomous trucks to change into a viable possibility within the next decade; of those, 29% imagine they are going to be a actuality on our roads in the next 5 years. Transport corporations consider the first advantage of automation will probably be boosting productiveness (50%), followed by helping to chop costs (19%).
Breaking by way of the road blocks to digitisation
Boundaries to adopting know-how persist - with transport corporations citing the major challenges to adopting expertise pushed innovation as price and funding (71%), adopted by a restricted understanding of the range of emerging technologies obtainable (50%).
This means that pockets of the industry have yet to embrace new applied sciences and processes, and that there continues to be work to do to repair the digital foundations of the business earlier than know-how-pushed innovation can be optimised properly.
Gearing up for automation
Similarly, while many transport companies imagine autonomous trucks are just across the corner, the reality is that there is still some approach to go before they become a safe, secure and sustainable choice on our roads. While the technology itself is becoming ever more subtle, there's a danger that will probably be held again by the lack of vital funding in infrastructure.
Boris Blanche, IRU’s Managing Director, commented: “There is not any query that autonomous trucks will eventually be transformative for the trade - helping enhance productiveness, create efficiencies and enhance driver working situations. But drivers will not change into obsolete any time sooner or later, and in fact the trade should continue to encourage more drivers into the career. Proper and responsible adoption over time is required, and we should see full cooperation from all industry stakeholders.”
Umberto de Pretto, continued: “For know-how to take hold, and for the industry to actually benefit from it, we should guarantee we've got the foundations in place. This means first getting the basics proper, resembling full transitioning to digital documentation, enhancing traceability, security and efficiency. We must work harder to hitch the dots between operators, service suppliers, manufacturers and governments to nurture a supportive setting for innovation and digitisation.
“ Automation accessories must also push for laws and insurance policies that encourage all operators to take a position in the know-how needed to make these innovations the norm. At IRU, our function is to champion the potential of the trade and promote this cooperation, to empower all operators in the sector to seize the nice innovation alternative.”
Notes to editors
About IRU IRU is the world road transport organisation, selling economic growth, prosperity and safety via the sustainable mobility of people and items. Based in 1948, IRU has members and actions in greater than one hundred nations. IRU conceived TIR in 1949 and continues to handle the system.
About IRU World Congress The IRU World Congress is the brand new world event for transport, mobility and logistics. It's a platform for world decision-makers to change concepts, debate solutions and outline the way forward for the street transport industry. Centred on the themes of innovation and trade, Innovation on the Transfer will take place at the new Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat, from 6 to 8 November 2018. www.iruworldcongress.com
Survey Methodology In collaboration with IRU, Random SA developed a quantitative online survey to target transport firms.
The survey was accomplished by a global sample size of 450 respondents working for a transport operator, transport broker or freight forwarder company in one of the 19 pre-selected nations overlaying three geographical areas: Europe, the GCC and Asia. The research sample was identified, recruited and surveyed independently from IRU to ensure a broad, robust and consultant picture of transport corporations.
Quotas have been set per nation and weighted to achieve 150 respondents per area. Further quotas have been set to succeed in a pattern measurement of minimal 50% CEOs/managers from the logistic division vs. non-managers from the logistic department.
The fieldwork befell from end of August to mid-September 2018 and was carried out underneath the supervision of Random SA, by Asia Analysis Companions, one of many main Asian impartial research corporations, based mostly in India. Random SA and Asia Analysis Partners are each members of ESOMAR, the leading international insights association to certify that the very best ethical and professional requirements are respected by member analysis institutes. Random SA ran the evaluation (SPSS) in-house based on a statistical significance ranges of 95%.