Japan’s Proposed Conveyor-Belt Freight Highway

Japan’s Proposed Conveyor-Belt Freight Highway

The Japanese government is planning to connect major cities with automated zero-emissions logistics links to efficiently move millions of tons of cargo while reducing road traffic.

This project, discussed since February by an expert panel at the Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism ministry, aims to address labor shortages and rising online shopping demands.

Image: Plans for the Japanese Conveyor Belt. (Photo: South China Morning Post).

A draft outline revealed plans to complete an initial link between Tokyo and Osaka by 2034.

Main Details

  • By 2030, it's estimated that 30% of parcels might not be delivered due to the lack of drivers.
  • The Tokyo-Osaka link is expected to transport as much small cargo as 25,000 trucks.
  • This initiative addresses the rise in online shopping and the need for efficient logistics solutions.

However, it raises a critical question: could such a system replace the US rail network?

Considering the US's extensive reliance on rail for freight transportation, it is worth considering the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a similar automated logistics network in the US. Does this approach make sense, and further, does it make sense for moving freight in the US?