Understanding the effects of autonomy is crucial to the future of transport, reveals latest CILT report

A new report, (Re)Inventing the wheel, has been produced and published by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) reviewing the potential of technology in transport that might be available by 2035 in relation to quality of life and value for money, in order to advise on policy and priorities for research and development.

The report sets out how, by 2035, technological developments in transport could make better use of capacity, result in less congestion and overcrowding, reduce environmental and health impacts and thereby improve quality of life.

Daniel Parker-Klein, Head of Policy, CILT, said: “(Re)Inventing the wheel examines a range of issues relating to transport over the next 25 years and looks at potential new technologies ranging from autonomous electric cars to real time journey management. The report recommends that Government should be focused on reducing the environmental impact of transport and on understanding the effects of autonomous vehicle control.”

Findings from this report include:

• A dramatic increase in communications has more potential to improve journeys.
• Mobility as a Service (MaaS) will enable easier journeys.
• Payment systems will continue to improve and make it easier for consumers to choose the most economic form of travel.
• Social media use will provide a valuable source of knowledge about travellers’ perceptions for transport providers and researchers.
• Transport must contribute to avoiding dangerous climate change and local health impacts by moving quickly to reduce the amount of carbon used.
• Policy makers should incorporate uncertainty in decision making.

This report has considered a range of technological advances that CILT believes may be available by 2035, but it is impossible to say which of these will succeed and which will fail and, indeed, there may be other technologies that we have no idea about at present.

Paul Le Blond FCILT, a contributor to the report and Chair, Logistics & Transport Technology Group, CILT, said: “It is not possible to predict which technologies will be in common use by 2035 but there are some clear opportunities to use the advances to achieve the objectives of improving safety and increasing capacity in a socially equitable way with economic benefits.”

CILT’s Vision 2035 programme began in 2011 and looked forward to see how transport might change over the next 25 years. After the first report, there have been further studies of UK freight, aviation, transport planning and Wales.

The full report can be viewed on the CILT’s Vision 2035 webpage.

About The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK - CILT(UK) - is the independent professional body for individuals associated with logistics, supply chains and all transport throughout their careers.

CILT(UK) - is the UK territorial body of CILT, which has a presence in more than 30 countries across the world. This network of members and contacts can connect all CILT members wherever they are in the world and constitutes the greatest resource of professional expertise within our areas of interest.