Never in recent history have we seen the world developing at such a rapid pace. With new social movements and changes in political agendas, all industries are being impacted in some way.
The trucking industry is certainly a space that will be seeing significant changes coming into force in the coming years as a result of the changing face of urban transport. In this article, we explore the changing what this means.
Pollution
The control and reduction of pollution plays a big part both in social pressures and political targets in the UK. Plans to reach these targets have placed a particular emphasis on the reduction of pollution from the transportation industry.
The UK Government have set out an ambitious plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. However, with only 0.5% of all vehicles on the road being ultra-low emission as of 2018, there is still a long way to go to reach this target.
The reduction of transportation where possible, as well as the increase in renewable fuels and ultra-low emission vehicles, will become increasingly important in achieving the UK’s goal by 2050. Also, we may see a rise in the popularity of the used vehicle market such as those supplied by MHF UK, as new efficient vehicles become more expensive and the pollution offset in reducing the production of new vehicles comes into play.
Although this could be a significant change, it is likely to be a positive one, ultimately saving transportation businesses costs and making the roads less busy.
Pedestrians & Cycling
Cyclists can cause a serious hazard and risk for trucks on the road. As people move towards cutting their carbon footprint, we are seeing more bikes on the road.
However, as the Government updates the infrastructure of the UK in pursuit of emission targets, they are also likely to focus on creating better networks for transportation beyond cars, such as safe walkways and cycle paths.
Although initially, this may be a negative thing for truck drivers, eventually this will have a positive impact on the transportation industry, leading to fewer cars being on the road. It will also lead to the development of a safe system for cyclist and pedestrians to get around, meaning less risk and traffic as a result of them using highways.
City Centre Traffic Bans
Many city centres including Bristol, Brighton, York, Birmingham and Bath are already looking to ban traffic as a way to eliminate congestion.
Of course, this will result in many challenges for the transportation industry, namely issues with accessibility. However, this will likely be considered by local councils when it comes to the needs of local businesses.
Traffic bans in city centres will bring around positive change for most in the transport industry. We will see an increase in investment in the road infrastructure that surrounds cities and a reduction in overall traffic, ultimately making it more efficient for transportation in those areas.
Public Transport
The government recently announced that they will be spending £5 billion on public transport over the next five years. This is due to a focus on updating current vehicles like buses to more environmentally friendly options, as well as a move to try and cut congestion in the busiest cities around the UK.
Ultimately this is going to help clear roads and make transportation easier for those on crucial journeys such as those within the transportation industry.
Urban transportation is undergoing a period of change. Many of these changes are going to have a large impact on the transportation industry, some positive and some negative. Businesses that understand and plan for these changes are likely to position themselves to benefit from them the most in the future.