Australia has a significant challenge ahead to meet its future freight task, with this task predicted by the 2011 Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) Report 123 to almost double between 2010-2030. With the overwhelming dominance of road transportation of the non-bulk market (more than 78 per cent), the pressure in meeting this challenge will be felt by road transportation and its associated infrastructure.
It is likely by 2030 that the road transportation industry will require more than an additional 70,000 articulated vehicles to meet this demand. The BITRE also predicts that although road transportation productivity (based on average vehicle loads) will increase by less than five per cent, compared to around 40 per cent over the prior two decades, the transport needs will still increase significantly.
With this massive increase in vehicles what impact will there be on the ability of road transportation to maintain its service levels? Will governments and industry be able to provide sufficient investment for the maintenance and delivery of infrastructure? And what about the other modes of rail and sea, what investment will occur in the next 15 years to deliver significant productivity gains?
Along with new technologies that can assist existing modes to further increase productivity, perhaps now is the time to also look at new freight transportation modes that don’t require significant infrastructure.
I am seeking the assistance of people based in Australia with supply chain/logistics experience to complete a 10 to15 minute online survey in the aim to collate a broad sample of the value decision makers place on the different qualities of freight transport modes.
A new mode of transport, cargo airships, are being examined as part of this research and whether they can assist in meeting Australia’s future freight task and associated infrastructure challenge.
By completing the survey you are contributing to the assessment of this new mode, which could provide greater operational flexibility and lead to new distribution models.
To fill out the survey, click here.
