Is business ready for autonomous freight transportation?
Autonomous transport, although it was previously more of a science-fiction concept, is increasingly emerging as a real direction of change in the broad field of communication. Many transport companies are already beginning to implement innovative technological solutions that allow for faster, improved, and automated transportation and delivery.
At what stage is this revolution now, and what are its advantages and risks? Read in the article Czu jesteśmy gotowi na transport autonomiczny.
Reducing traffic congestion and the number of collisions, significant fuel and energy savings, lower CO₂ emissions, and possibly eliminating the driver shortage problem? Autonomous transport could help solve dilemmas that logisticians have been grappling with for many years worldwide.
The Five Levels of Autonomy
“There is a five-level autonomy scale developed by the professional organization of automotive, aviation, and industrial engineering, SAE International. At its two highest levels, transport vehicles not only move independently but also control and react to changing road conditions—even without being equipped with elements such as a steering wheel. The only ‘human’ intervention is setting the direction of travel. Currently, such developments are led by Tesla and General Motors. The lower levels are designed for partial or conditional automation, where vehicles move autonomously only in certain situations, and the driver uses driver assistance systems, such as lane-keeping assistance,” explains Maciej Marosik, Operations Director at TC Kancelaria Prawna.
ALL ABOUT OVERSIZED CARGO TRANSPORTATION
The new revolution is not only about small delivery devices, mobility aids for disabled individuals, or passenger cars but also about trucks and rail transport.
“Recently, the German transport market was conquered by the startup Einride, which, with the help of an electric and autonomous truck fleet, freight mobility, and charging and communication networks, enables intelligent and ecological freight transport, collaborating with the largest industrial conglomerates,” says Maciej Marosik.
Preparing for Greater Autonomy
The main obstacle to global implementation is not only the creation of safe and sophisticated control software but, above all, the lack of developed infrastructure and detailed legal regulations.
This summer, the European Union amended Regulation No. 2019/2144, allowing for the automation of Tier C transport vehicles, which will enable the implementation of systems that replace human-driven transport control.
“These include signaling, acceleration, and braking systems, real-time vehicle and environment monitoring systems, as well as systems that provide safety information to other road users,” Marosik states.
In France, on August 7 this year, the Official Journal introduced a new decree (R. 152-3) in the Transport Code, specifying “the rights of remote operators in the context of automated automobile transport systems.” This document defines the role and training methodology for individuals overseeing autonomous transport vehicles, with control entrusted only to qualified personnel.
WE HANDLE INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION
Trials in this field are also being conducted in the USA and Australia, where autonomous transport vehicles have been tested on domestic roads. Unfortunately, a high number of collisions were recorded during these experiments, raising an important question—who is legally responsible in the event of an accident?
Is it time for a 100% independence?
So far, we do not know who will bear the responsibility in case of a collision: the vehicle user, the software or GPS navigation developer, or possibly the manufacturer? The number of factors affecting liability is significant, making it challenging to implement appropriate regulations. However, experts note that with the introduction of autonomous transport, many risk factors, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or ignoring road signs, will be eliminated.
Future Prospects and Downsides
Autonomous transport can bring many tangible and positive changes, including fuel and energy savings, reduced CO₂ emissions, fewer traffic jams and accidents, and solving the driver shortage issue.
“An autonomous fleet can operate 24/7, whereas a conventional vehicle with one driver can only be in motion for nine hours per day. This way, productivity would significantly increase while reducing emissions and employment costs, which currently make up a large percentage of transport expenses,” TC Kancelaria Prawna experts argue.
On the other hand, full automation of transport limits job opportunities for drivers. If demand for such specialists decreases, many employees will lose not only bonuses and high salaries but sometimes even their jobs—especially in the case of local delivery services and couriers.
“Poland is the largest transport provider in Europe, and the transport sector is one of the biggest contributors to GDP. Therefore, once autonomous transport vehicles are introduced, many people will lose their jobs,” adds an expert from TC Law Firm.
The progress of autonomous transport lies not only in the hands of designers and programmers responsible for preparing these vehicles for everyday use but also in the hands of legislators. They are responsible for creating legal frameworks that will allow AI-controlled transport vehicles to function alongside human-driven ones. And some of the proposed projects are already set for 2040.