Japan rolls out plan for 500km conveyor belt to solve looming cargo logistics crisis
- The proposed Tokyo-Osaka ‘Autoflow-Road’ transport system could carry the same amount of freight as 25,000 truck drivers every day
The proposed network of massive conveyor belts, dubbed the Autoflow-Road, would use tunnels beneath major highways that link Japan’s two largest cities, as well as above-ground tracks in the middle of the roads. it is the brainchild of a panel at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
In places, additional tracks could also be constructed alongside the hard shoulder of motorways, the ministry’s proposal states.
“Automated logistics roads are designed to get the most out of road space by utilising hard shoulders, median strips [central reservations] and tunnels beneath the roadway,” said Shuya Muramatsu, a senior official in the ministry’s road economics research office.
“Our study is examining the impact on road traffic, including on surrounding roads, and costs.”
The Autoflow-Road proposal comes as Japan and its rapidly ageing population faces a delivery driver shortage, with new rules capping their weekly overtime at just 18 hours.