Japan, 'Transportation of Carriage Replacement'Conveyor Belt Initiative to Test Tokyo-Osaka in 2027
Nov 05, 2024
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According to local media such as the Asahi Shimbun, the Japanese government plans to build a 'Conveyor Belt Road' in a total of 500 km section between Tokyo and Osaka.
The released computer graphics show large boxes of wheels moving along a three-lane road in the middle of the highway, also called the 'automatic flow road'.
The pilot system began test operations in 2027 or early 2028 and aims to be fully operational by the mid-2030s.
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained that it will prepare for the decreasing labor force, reduce drivers' workload, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
An official said the concept of the project is to create a dedicated space for logistics within the road network by utilizing a 24-hour automated unmanned transportation system.
The system, which is also intended for business delivery, can be extended to other routes if everything goes smoothly.
For example, it may be necessary to deliver a parcel home with human power at the moment, but unmanned technology may be utilized in the future.
Japan is experiencing a avoidance of truck driving due to high risk and overwork.
As a result, Japan's total transport volume is expected to drop by 34% by 2030.
However, the demand for delivery through online shopping is increasing rapidly. Despite the fact that the overall population continues to decline as the fertility rate falls, Japanese households' delivery utilization has increased from about 40% to more than 60%.
bellho@sportschosun.com
