Japan is planning a 310-500 km (192-311 mile) automated conveyor belt system, known as the Autoflow-Road, to transport goods between Tokyo and Osaka, utilizing existing infrastructure like tunnels, above-ground tracks, and constantly moving treadmills inspired by mining industry conveyor belts.
The proposed Autoflow-Road system aims to address logistics issues like a shortage of truck drivers, increased freight demands, timely delivery of supplies, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Autoflow-Road will use a high-capacity pallet system to move up to one ton of freight per pallet continuously, potentially handling as much freight as 25,000 truck drivers daily, enhancing freight transportation efficiency, reducing emissions, and optimizing road space utilization.
The estimated cost for the Autoflow-Road construction ranges from 7 billion yen to 80 billion yen per 10 km, with the total cost potentially exceeding $25 billion. Other smaller freight conveyor belt systems are already operational in Japan.
The exact cost and timeline for the system's operational readiness remain under consideration.
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism proposed the conveyor plan, but alternatives are also being considered, including a focus on autonomous trucks and vans. Logistics companies are hopeful for fully driverless trucks operating 24/7 without breaks as an alternative solution to the driver shortage.
Japan's driverless network plan aims to open the first stage within the next ten years, and other countries like the UK and Switzerland are also planning driverless delivery systems and underground freight tunnels, although these projects are costly.
The global Light Conveyor Belt market, valued at USD 3867.8 million in 2023, is forecasted to reach USD 5262.8 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 4.5%, driven by the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China. Major players like Partners Group, Habasit, and Forbo-Siegling occupy 35% of the market.
Sources: Carscoops, The Spectator, SoraNews24, The Drive, The Sun, Freight News, The Loadstar, India Times, Westchester Magazine, Interesting Engineering, The Times, New Atlas.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
