Technology, automation to define future of road transport: Survey

In the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, technology-driven innovation will be key to meeting the challenges of tomorrow in the road transport sector, according to a global survey.

The survey has been conducted by IRU, a global road transport organisation, based on interview data from 450 transport companies across Europe, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Asia.

Over three quarters of (75 per cent) transport companies surveyed expect autonomous trucks to become a viable option on the roads within the next decade, the study showed.

It also revealed that transport companies are concerned about macro global issues, as over half of them (57 per cent) see geopolitical uncertainty as the biggest threat facing the sector.

The survey findings forwarded by Media Out-Reach found that major issues – from escalating international trade wars to growing concerns around Brexit – have triggered concerns worldwide.

The risk of global recession and the challenge of keeping up with changing customer demand are jointly seen as the second biggest threats to transport companies at 52 per cent, as per the study.

IRU secretary general Umberto de Pretto, "The global transport system touches the lives of each of the planet's seven billion people, from the food we eat to the consumer goods we buy.

“So it's perhaps not surprising that many of the issues facing society today are also considered by transport companies to be their biggest challenges.

“These include some of the main themes that dominate the international agenda, including geopolitics, trade and the environment."