Abstract:
Cross-border Road Transport Agency facilitates connectivity and logistical movement from
South Africa to the other Member States. However, the sector faces significant challenges
in meeting the demands of a rapidly changing global environment. Factors such as climate
change, economic fluctuations, technological advancements, social growth, and
harmonisation of the Non-Tariff Barrier, have profound implications for cross-border road
transport. To address these challenges, there is a growing need to rethink transportation
systems and develop resilient strategies that can effectively adapt to and alleviate the
impact of these external factors. The presentation will explore the concept of rethinking
cross-border road transportation by focusing on planning and building resilient systems to
effectively address global externalities. It highlights the need for proactive measures to
adapt to these challenges and discusses key strategies to enhance the transport sector's
resilience and sustainability. It delves into the mentioned factors emphasising the need for
flexible systems that can adapt to changing market conditions, regulatory requirements
and shape the cross-border road transportation landscape. Trade tensions, shifting market
demands, and changing trade policies create uncertainties. Rethinking transportation
systems involves adapting to these changes, enhancing flexibility, and promoting
collaboration between stakeholders. Building resilient systems requires a multifaceted
approach.
To effectively address these challenges, the presentation will emphasise the importance of
planning and building resilient systems. It will discuss the key elements of resilience,
including agile technology, efficient transport management systems, and sustainable
practices. The integration of such elements will be highlighted as a means to enhance the
sector's efficiency. Furthermore, the presentation will emphasise the need for collaborative
efforts among stakeholders. It will discuss the importance of engaging policymakers,
transportation authorities, infrastructure planners, and industry stakeholders in the process
of rethinking cross-border road transportation. It will also highlight the significance of
international cooperation and knowledge sharing to foster best practices and innovative
solutions. The presentation will conclude by underlining the benefits of rethinking crossborder road transportation through collaborative efforts among governments,
transportation authorities, industry stakeholders, and researchers. It will emphasise that by
planning and building resilient systems, the sector can effectively address global
externalities, become more adaptive, enhance operational efficiency, reduce
environmental impact, and ensure the safe and reliable movement of goods and
passengers across borders in the face of a rapidly changing world.