Tried by the innumerable difficulties that persist in the competitive context and by latent uncertainty, the global transport system seems to be in a worrying cul de sac. Artificial Intelligence could be the solution to untie some knots.

The freight transport system is on the verge of collapse. To sound the alarm are the Industry and manufacturing companies from all over the world. Especially for those who export, shipping goods is becoming a waking nightmare. Delays and non-deliveries of raw materials and semi-finished products mercilessly hit supply chains already exhausted after two years of complications due to Covid19 pandemics, lockdown, Brexit, trade, and geopolitical conflicts, lack of resources, increase in management costs, and so on.

The issue is complex and does not only concern transport tariffs - although now in many cases they are skyrocketing - but also and above all the levels of service. The decline in transport performance compromises the resilience of the supply chain and good commercial relations with partners and suppliers.

Experts agree that some of the obstacles will be removed over time. However, some phenomena have triggered the need for a more radical transformation that can also take place thanks to the digitization and implementation of some technologies. One of these is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AI benefits for freight transportation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is ready to change the transportation system. If efficiently applied, AI could contribute to mitigating the effect of some critical phenomena and unlocking crucial bottlenecks. Feeding by the huge amount of different data naturally produced within the supply chain such as in the single transportation processes, AI can indeed realize several advantages:

• better route optimization
• increased road safety
• more efficient use of assets and resources
• predictive analytics 
• integrating sustainable practices
• lower operating costs

Combining real-time data, recurring series, predictive analytics, and advanced algorithms AI platforms can, for example, define the most efficient route and the better sequence of stops, therefore minimizing drive time and fuel wastage and enhancing the service level.

Artificial Intelligence can use real-time data from road traffic thus contributing to making traffic management and reducing congestion too. Moreover, it supports sustainable transportation planning and the development of solutions for facing the growth of travel demand, road safety matters, CO2 reduction, and much more.

AI allows the fleet to stay always efficient and competitive. Indeed, fleet managers can track data on both driving habits and vehicle conditions thus streamlining maintenance schedules, avoiding unexpected vehicle breakdowns, and establishing smooth-running fleet management. Finally, data can be processed by an intelligent transportation system to develop connected vehicles platforms for further advantages for both companies and the citizens' community

So, Artificial Intelligence applications can change the transportation face in a next future, making processes smart, more efficient, and sustainable, reducing operational costs drastically, and improving the system significantly. It is not the only definitive solution, nor the cure for all the ills that afflict transport. AI is simply a path that may be worth taking.

TAGS: Aeolus perspectives, Technology, Innovation, Transportation, Logistics