How Japan’s 500km conveyor belt road that could replace 25,000 trucks per day will work
- Japan is struggling with a labor crisis, which could cost them billions
- The government are considering a conveyor-belt road system between Tokyo and Osaka in Japan
- If put into action, it could transport as many goods as 25,000 drivers
Published on Jul 25, 2024 at 5:57 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 26, 2024 at 3:05 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Japan has unveiled plans for an automated conveyor belt road that could transport goods.
If this plan goes ahead, it could replace 25,000 trucks moving along the roads each day.
The road would run between Tokyo and Osaka and would operate 24 hours a day.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
How would the Japan conveyor belt road work?
The plans were unveiled in a recent meeting of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The 310-mile belt has been proposed to deal with the country’s labor shortages in the transportation industry.
In the blueprints, the Autoflow-Road operates in both directions on both under- and above-ground roads.
If made a reality, this system could move the same amount of freight in the day as 25,000 drivers.
Shuya Muramatsu, a senior official in the ministry, told reporters: “Automated logistics roads are designed to get the most out of road space by utilizing hard shoulders, median strips, and tunnels beneath the roadway.
“Our study is examining the impact on road traffic, including on surrounding roads, and costs.”
Why is this idea being proposed?
Japan has been hit by a logistics crisis in recent months, as the government resorts to capping the overtime hours truckers could work.
This was to address the country’s overwork culture.
However, analysts have predicted that there could be a 14 percent delivery capacity shortfall.
If this happens, supermarket shelves could be left empty and $70 billion could be lost by 2030.
To combat this, the government is looking for efficiency improvements and fairer wages.
The conveyor belt road has been suggested as one way to address the issue.
Transport Minister, Tetsuo Saito, said: “[The proposal] will not only address the logistics crisis, but also help to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. We would like to speedily proceed with discussion on the matter.”
If approved, the road would cost $508 million (80 billion Yen).
But as of now, it’s still in the early stages and no timeline has been put in place for construction.
Japan isn’t the first country to have an ambitious project, of course.
Saudi Arabia has weighed up many, including the Middle East’s biggest waterpark and a futuristic city that could house 1.5 million people.
It’s good to aim high, right?
