Japan plans automated cargo corridor to tackle driver shortage, cut emissions

Japan has announced its plan to develop an automated cargo transport corridor linking Tokyo and Osaka, a project the government has dubbed the “conveyor belt road.”

This innovative plan aims to address the acute shortage of truck drivers while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions, positioning Japan at the forefront of automated logistics.

Although funding details for the project are still being finalized, it is considered a crucial strategy to cope with the increasing demand for deliveries, especially in light of recent laws limiting truck driver overtime. A computer-generated video released by the government illustrates large wheeled containers smoothly navigating a three-lane corridor, also referred to as an “auto flow road,” integrated into the existing highway system. Test runs are expected to commence in 2027 or early 2028, with full operational capacity targeted for the mid-2030s.

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“We need to be innovative with the way we approach roads,” said Yuri Endo, a senior deputy director at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. She emphasized that the new system aims to address not only the declining labor force but also the pressing need to alleviate the burdens placed on human drivers while contributing to environmental sustainability.

“The key concept of the auto flow road is to create dedicated spaces within the road network for logistics, utilizing a 24-hour automated and unmanned transportation system,” Endo explained.

While the idea of a dedicated automated transport system may seem tailored for Japan’s densely populated and relatively low-crime environment, similar concepts are gaining traction globally. Plans in Switzerland involve creating underground pathways, and a fully automated system powered by low-cost linear motors is in the works for London.

Japan’s automated system will integrate loading processes using forklifts and coordinate deliveries with airports, railways, and ports. The large cargo boxes, measuring nearly six feet in height and the size of a closet, are designed for efficient transport.

As the project unfolds, it holds the potential for expansion beyond the Tokyo-Osaka corridor, though last-mile deliveries will likely still require human drivers, at least for the foreseeable future.

The urgency of this project is underscored by Japan’s ongoing driver shortage, exacerbated by recent labor regulations aimed at improving working conditions. Known as the “2024 problem,” these changes are projected to decrease the country’s transport capacity by 34% by 2030, according to government estimates. Currently, trucking accounts for over 91% of Japan’s domestic transport capacity, totaling around 4.3 billion metric tons.

As the demand for online shopping surged during the pandemic, delivery services became more crucial, with household usage increasing from 40% to over 60%, even as Japan’s population continues to decline.

Yuji Yano, a professor at Ryutsu Keizai University, warns that this logistical challenge extends beyond transportation: “That means the 2024 problem isn’t just a transportation problem but really a people’s problem.”

With approximately 90% of Japan’s cargo transported by trucks and the trucking industry advocating for safer delivery practices amid persistent road fatalities, the automated corridor initiative represents a significant leap towards a more sustainable and efficient future for Japan’s logistics landscape.