In 2022, the transport industry in Russia was seriously affected, as the main logistics chains were disrupted. However, at the beginning of 2024, the situation stabilized: many companies changed their development strategies, which made it possible to reduce costs in the face of external restrictions. The active introduction of modern technologies is the right step, since you need to respond quickly to the emergence of new trends in logistics.
One of the initial tasks of Russian carriers is the digitalization of routes. Using AI and ML to optimize delivery routes will reduce time and logistics costs. Artificial intelligence speeds up the process of collecting and processing data on the road network, traffic, geographical features of the region of cargo delivery and the schedule of cars, which simplifies greatly the work of carriers. In the future, this may lead to the creation of fully automated logistics systems that will choose independently the best routes and delivery methods.
At the same time, the transportation of goods can be carried out in different ways, but one of the most effective is the use of drones. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deliver small cargo to hard-to-reach areas will increase the efficiency of logistics and minimize the cost of renting cars or paying couriers. In the future, drones may become the main way to move small parcels in urban conditions, which will reduce the load on the transport infrastructure.
The procedure for operating drones is regulated by the Government Decree on the rules for the use of airspace in the Russian Federation. For the use of unmanned aerial vehicles weighing up to 30 kg, additional permits are not required if the flight takes place at an altitude of less than 150 meters, and the drone is launched during the day (in areas where there is no ban on the movement of aircraft). At the same time, in large cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sevastopol, there are stricter restrictions or a temporary ban on the use of UAVs, so transport companies will have to look for alternative delivery methods.
The active use of unmanned aerial vehicles in conjunction with the development of “green” logistics makes it possible to minimize the level of emissions into the atmosphere. The introduction of environmentally friendly technologies into logistics, such as electric vehicles and the use of renewable energy sources, reduces the negative impact on the environment. In the future, “green” logistics may become the main direction of development of the transport industry in Russia, contributing to the preservation of valuable natural resources through the mass operation of cars with an electric engine.
Another important task of transport companies is to provide the ability to control the movement and condition of goods. Blockchain technologies are designed to solve this problem. They are effective in tracking and controlling the movement of goods, as well as ensuring transparency and reliability of logistics operations. In the future, blockchain may become the basis for creating a unified accounting and control system for all logistics operations in Russia. The necessary functionality for integration with IoT is already being developed. The use of the Internet of Things to monitor the state of goods and vehicles in real time will allow you to respond quickly to changes that arise during transportation. Many carriers actively use modern sensors, navigators, beacons, trackers, trying to monitor the condition of the cargo on the way to ensure fast and safe delivery.
Now transport companies are trying to integrate various innovations into logistics as efficiently as possible in order to increase the range of their capabilities. In the next 5 years, the development rate of digitalization in the transport industry will reach 20% per year. At the same time, the massive introduction of modern technologies will reduce risks and increase the speed of solving the main tasks in the delivery of goods.
By Alexey Tuzov, independent expert in the transport industry