With the Federal Government’s legislated commitment to achieve net zero by 2050, the transport and logistics sectors are beginning to focus on reducing emissions. Rail freight is a key part of the solution, offering reduced carbon emissions, less air pollution, decreased congestion, and fewer road accidents.
According to the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) submission to the NSW Government’s Freight Policy Reform, rail freight accounted for just 4 per cent of total transport emissions despite handling 56 per cent of Australia’s total freight.
A 2020 Deloitte Access Economics report highlights that rail freight produces 16 times less carbon pollution than road freight.
“ARA is core to driving this shift and is engaged in multiple initiatives to promote rail freight,” says Dharshi Hasthanayake, Manager of Sustainability and Circularity, GS1 Australia.
The ARA has collaborated with other key industry players on the Future of Freight campaign, and the Rail Freight Productivity Review: Establishing an Efficient Freight Transport Network.
The ARA’s most recent key report on supporting the sector to net zero, the Rollingstock Decarbonisation Critical Path, identified a potential road map for transitioning rail to low and zero emissions, including opportunities for the rail freight sector.
GS1 Australia’s mission to improve rail freight services
GS1 Australia, a not-for-profit leader in supply chain standards, is embracing rail freight to reduce emissions.
“With road freight expected to surge in the next decade, GS1 Australia is focused on improving rail freight services to attract more end-users,” adds Dharshi.
“GS1 Standards can assist rail freight in improving the end–user experience, providing the confidence and reliability that customers seek from their supply chain services.
Growth in this area will reduce the reliance on road transport and support achieving our national net zero targets.”
GS1 Australia enhances the rail freight experience through its global GS1 system, using standardised barcodes to track goods and improve operational visibility. Dharshi Hasthanayake, Manager of Sustainability and Circularity at GS1 Australia, highlights “Scan4Transport,” a global standard that captures critical transport data, ensuring seamless integration across the supply chain.
“Scan4Transport supports all stages of transport, from first mile to last mile, enabling companies to meet growing customer demands. It also provides essential shipment details, such as recipient and destination, to streamline supply chain management.”
GS1’s 2D barcodes, like the GS1-128, allows for quick, accurate data capture, storing information such as shipping addresses, hazardous materials details, and weights. This enables businesses to move away from manual, paper-based systems and maintain traceability across networks, including rail and road freight.
“With the addition of Project i-Trace, GS1 standards will also help businesses comply with environmental regulations by providing a framework for reporting and verification,” adds Hasthanayake. Going forward, GS1 Australia will continue to support rail freight by enhancing its end-user experience, in turn encouraging more in the industry to adopt this sustainable mode of transporting goods.
For more information on GS1 Australia, click here.