Transport Digitalization

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technologies, accelerated by COVID-19 effects tends to undermine the established business models and existing sectors of the economy, including the transport sector. Artificial intelligence, robotics technology, the Internet of Things, big data drastically transform all types of transport and logistics operations. Moreover, in addition to digitalization, this sector turned out to be influenced by a wave of public concern over the ecological state of the planet. A powerful impetus was given by a recent climate change conference in Glasgow, following the results of which the governments of many countries undertook a commitment to ensure a net zero carbon footprint over the coming decades. Thousands of companies have declared their allegiance to ESG principles and readiness to work for a green economy. The prospects for the development of the industry are also influenced by changes in consumer behavior. New generation—digital natives, are ready to give up private cars, using instead car sharing service, switch to bicycles and kick scooters and buy environmentally friendly electric cars. However, in the beginning of 2022 the world has met new challenges and risks brought by the new geopolitical situation after the start of the war of Russia in Ukraine. The event resulted in the immediate disruption of many logistic channels, the consequences of which are beyond prediction at the moment. Even after the military activities cease it may take significant time to restore the disrupted connections.

The study is based on the use of qualitative comparative analysis that identifies the impact of digitalization on the subsectors of the transport industry. The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of the main digital transformation tools, as well as other impact factors (decarbonization, changes in behavioral stereotypes, COVID-19, etc.) on the development of transport: road, rail, sea and air transport. The transport industry is viewed through the lens of “Mobility as a Service” (MaaS).

The research is focused on revolutionary changes in the development of the industry, which will result in structural changes in value added chains, shifts in the geography of the deployment of production facilities, the further spread of electronic document flow and payments, the growth in the use of electric cars and autonomous vehicles, robotization of warehouses and port infrastructure, the introduction of the Internet of Things in traffic control.

The result of the study was the conclusion that the digitalization process in transport will develop, having an impact on other sectors of the economy. It was determined that these processes are irreversible, and companies engaged in transport operations and those working in related fields must adapt to changes: develop their own business models or adapt to existing ones. At the same time, the industry is only in the early stages of digitalization, the rate of changes and their consequences are not yet determined.