As the Net Zero agenda gathers pace, the road transport industry is at the forefront of the innovation needed to achieve it. On the way out is “dirty diesel”; on the way in are new and cleaner technologies that are driving the way forward to the improve safety and the environment.
In celebration of National Lorry Week, we look at some of the exciting changes that are happening in our industry and how these are shaping the future of road transport.
Vehicles
Advancements in vehicle technologies have revved up dramatically in recent years, with lorry manufacturers introducing new features to improve driver experience and road safety.
The modern truck is a complex piece of equipment, requiring highly skilled drivers and a knowledge of on-board technology.
Cars increasingly contain steering, braking and accelerating features to assist driving and you’ll find these features and much more on lorries too.
On some new models, exterior wing mirrors have been replaced by adjustable cameras and interior screens, providing drivers with an unrestricted 360-degree view of the cab, and eradicating blind spots. Some manufacturers have also experimented with aerodynamics and cab shape to maximise efficiency.
Drivers’ living quarters have come a long way too and include a range of home comforts such as adjustable beds, refrigerators, TVs, entertainment systems and air conditioning.
Fuels
Our industry is making huge progress to reduce harmful emissions by investing in Euro VI lorries.
You might be surprised to learn that trucks are responsible for less than eight percent of roadside nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, with latest RHA reports revealing a drop of 72 percent since 2013.
There is however still some way to go to reach Net Zero by 2050. A great deal of investment by Government and industry is going into finding sustainable solutions to replace fossil fuels, with vehicle manufacturers investigating electric, biofuels and hydrogen, as just a few of the possible options.
Take this year’s National Lorry Week truck for instance: the New Generation DAF XG. It can be powered by either diesel or HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) – a transition fuel that can reduce CO2 emissions from a lorry by up to 90 percent.
HVO, however is quite difficult to find, is more expensive than other fuels with legitimate concerns on how it is sourced. Nevertheless, if supported by a rebate and appropriate regulation to incentivise up-take, it could be a positive measure for operators to use whilst other solutions are developed.
But it’s not just about vehicles; hauliers are always looking for new, innovative ways to power their businesses too, using solar power and wind turbines to make their operations self-sufficient, lowering costs and reducing their carbon footprint.
Big data
Big data concerns large, complex data sets that are being used to address issues that businesses haven’t been able to tackle before. It’s transforming road transport and the ways businesses are operating in our sector.
With many processes along the supply chain now digitised, rather than being paper based, it means there’s an increasing amount of data that can be used to monitor workforce performance, forecast demand, spot trends in consumer behaviour, optimise routes for drivers and to measure emissions.
Data analysis can be a highly complex and skilled task but it’s certainly worth the effort. With the insight that data provides, businesses can act accordingly and make intelligent decisions which will improve their efficiency, speed up supply chains, maximise profits and create a greener, more sustainable future.
Future skills
As our industry evolves recruiting people with the right skills is crucial. Businesses are eager to recruit a next generation of professionals who are knowledgeable about new technologies and want to lead the industry to a better future.
If you’re interested in joining an exciting, innovative and fast-moving industry, there are a wide range of career opportunities in road transport. Find out more here: www.nationallorryweek.co.uk/careers
