No matter how many changes the industry goes through the role of transportation remains constant. It does not need any emphasizing that it is a vital cog in a country’s economy. In order to change the economy it becomes important to undertake overhauling of transportation. For efficient and cost-effective movement of goods and people, there is urgent need for modern transportation and infrastructure.
Fundamental purpose of transportation is necessary for meeting economic goals, ensuring spatial interaction and social integration. Presently, Indian government has undertaken extensive construction of highways. This is being done to create transportation network for effective and smooth movement of goods. Understandably, it is required for increasing trading activity and volume. For creating an advanced economy it is imperative that you create a world-class infrastructure and networks of roads.
Before proceeding further, I think I must explain how come I have such in-depth knowledge of new innovations. After completing BE (chemical engineering) I started working with one of the leading liquid nitrogen plant manufacturing companies in India. However, my interest was to work in my core are which is chemical engineering. I waited to get the right opportunity. Meanwhile, I continued to work in the air separation plant manufacturing company for over 5 years.
Then, I got the opportunity to join one of the largest infrastructure companies in India. I loved the job so much that I stayed at the company for over 25 years. Here, got the chance to learn everything about creating infrastructure in the country. I rose through the ranks to become vice-president and retired with the same designation. After retirement, I started my consultancy business which is doing excellent.
By industrial revolution, we mean rapid transformation visible in the economy made possible through the use of power –driven machinery. The transformation is brought about in the economy through updating of the current machines being used.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd industrial revolution has been upstaged by the 4th industrial revolution. This industrial changed is known as “Industry 4.0”. No doubt, the fourth industrial revolution has been made possible through amazing innovations, automation, and intricate processes forming the base for the new industrial regime.
Talking of the industry 4.0, it is based on six principles which are interoperability, virtualization, decentralization, real time capability, service station and modularity. Each of them is essential for the working of industry 4.0. As a result of it, we have witnessed the increasing digitization all over the globe.
Impact of Industry 4.0
Ever since the starting of industry 4.0 we see that it has already hugely transformed the way supply chain managers do their business. With continued increase in digitization and inoperability, there will unfold extensive changes in the manner supply chain operations are conducted. There is no denying the fact that unrolling of industry 4.0 standards and norms will fundamentally change transport and logistics. Impact on logistics and transport will be significant. There will be whole new way of running transportation and providing logistics. So far transport has been limited by information silos and quite limited use of IT services. In the time of industry 4.0, it is possible to steer clear of adopting that are inefficient.
How will transportation change in the industry 4.0?
Transportation industry enables the movement of people, goods and cargoes from one place to another through various modes such as railways, road, air, pipeline and cable. This industry comprises of diverse interacting sub-system with interrelated linkages to deliver performance.
Moreover, the growing use of industry 4.0 techniques and tools has resulted in significant improvement in data quality and accessibility.
Already, it is compulsory to implement moderate level of visibility in businesses trying to induct IT solutions. Besides, smart factories using digital technology need implementation of end-to-end (E2E) visibility within businesses in order to connect different points on value chain making it more cohesive. It is important to note than higher data quality and transparency has significant bearing on how transportation planning is done.
Of course, it will make it easy for the management to create forecasts that are more reliable. It ensures flexible shipping and routing alternatives. And the transportation businesses that use industry 4.0 tools respond smoothly to the disruptions by using information freight capacity and warehouse usage. As a result of increasing connectivity there will be great reduction in breakdowns and silos. No denying it will comprehensively alter the very character of logistics.
And, incorporation of Internet-of-things (IoT) devices and numerous other connected technologies in supply chains will determine how products get out of factory to reach the end-users.
