by Walther Ploos van Amstel
Within a few short years, trucking and logistics will be an ecosystem of autonomous vehicles directed by a digitized supply chain, combining driverless, cabless trucks and delivery hubs staffed by robots. But what about the numbers behind these changes? In particular, what do they mean for cost and efficiency in the transport industry that has long …
Technological innovations to tackle challenges in city logistics are being developed, tested and applied all over the world. A clash between fast changes and slow structures per square meter. During the Heavy Vehicle Transport Technology Conference in Rotterdam (NL), October 2-5, 2018 the second day will focus on city logistics.
A new report by the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme ‘Big data in Transport: Research opportunities, challenges, and limitations’ identifies and examines various societal and ethical issues that are relevant to the production of, access to, linking of and re-use of big data in the transport sector.
City Logistics comprises of a vast variety of supply networks, each with its own service demands driven by the particular wishes of the end-customer. This heterogeneity is reflected in the wide variation in the means of transport used, from cargo bikes to 18-metre truck-trailer combinations.
The International Road transport Union (IRU) published a report on the commercial vehicle of the future based on three scenario’s (short term, mid term, long term), in terms of improvements in CO2 emissions, safety and operational efficiency. The report presents a roadmap towards fully sustainable truck operations for long haul, regional delivery, and urban delivery.
Unfortunately, many drivers are rather gloomy about the future. Is their lack of optimism justified? I don’t think so. Soon enough, they will once again serve as the calling card of their transport company.