The transport sector in Lithuania is undergoing a rapid change as the development of an automatization of processes and application of smart digital technologies gain momentum. In addition to changes in technologies, the issues of ecology and environmental protection are equally important and have an increasing impact on the transport sector of our country. “I hope that the transport system will soon reach high electrification rates, and only quiet, energy efficient vehicles that protect human life will ride our streets,” associate professor Vidas Žuraulis from the Department of Automobile Engineering at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) forecasts environment and people friendly future of transport.
Transport system in Lithuania. Are we keeping pace with the latest global trends?
There is a wide ranging discussion on transport system in Lithuania; therefore, we can hear various opinions of the public and officials on the subject. It is not surprising, because transport plays an important role in our country. Freight forwarding is well-developed mostly due to geographic situation of the country. Intensive East-West and South-North freight flows lead to higher efficiency of freight companies, and have an impact on the State and its people. Transport sector – including road, maritime and rail transport – makes a significant contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Another important aspect is our access to the Baltic Sea, and, thus, an important role in the transport policy of the Baltic Sea Region.
In addition to logistics, our daily journeys and more distant travelling are inseparably linked the day-to-day functioning of the country. I think everybody agrees that most of us use cars, public transport, bicycles, scooters or other means of transport. We are part of the traffic system even if we walk. This shows the importance of transport and the significance of a smooth functioning transport system. Technological advancement and smart systems are part of this sector and, in various forms, contribute to development of a more efficient transport and try to satisfy at least basic needs of the population.
It is not easy to talk about transport system due to its multifacetedness, but all in all I believe that we are on the right track to achieving high goals, and the benefits of transport are adequately exploited. In fact, it is difficult to talk about the transport system in Lithuania in general terms, because there are so many aspects and areas. Technologies help us to follow the global trends and developments of infrastructure, vehicles, and, more widely, the concepts of freight or passenger transport. By tracking trends, we inevitably compare ourselves against others. In Lithuania progress is visible in some areas, in some we can see the initial steps, while in some we can already see the mistakes made.
You have mentioned trends and latest developments. Which ones do you consider the most important in the transport sector?
Thinking about the latest trends in the transport sector, robotisation and automation come first to my mind. It’s not necessarily the futuristic picture of driving-flying silent machines where human is just a passenger. Technologies in our environment are already protecting us from the risks of the transport system, also they help us to move faster and more comfortable. Transportation in closed warehouses or environments hostile to humans is done by robots or remotely controlled machines, roads are packed with cameras which can control the load of infrastructure according to the shape, temperature or licence plate numbers.
We also have to mention the issues of environment protection. Solution of these issues is important globally. The efficiency of power units of vehicles, generation of energy from alternative energy sources, neutralisation of emissions are some important directions for further development of transport systems. In the future they will become more prominent and will require more attention from the public and professionals.
Could you mention some important ongoing projects in the transport sector, what is especially relevant?
In addition to the afore mentioned issues of automatization and emission reduction in transport sector, traffic safety remains an important topic in road transport area. The European Union and various international organisations (the United Nations, the World Health Organisation) have ambitious goals to decrease the number of road accidents and fatalities. In some countries this has been a priority for more than fifty years, but still road fatalities remain one of the main causes of death.
In this area the human itself, their psychophysiology, mentality, is very important in addition to the role of technologies and contribution from professionals. This expands the field of transport even more. If only the technologies will be developed, humans might not be able to cope with it; they will need more physical help and even more psychological assistance. In the middle of the twentieth century, when maximum speed of cars was rising very quickly, people were enjoying the technological advancements, but had challenges in assessing the risks related to it. It could be that we will face other evolution challenges as technologies start changing people and interpret their actions?
The future of transport in 5-10 years. What can we expect in Lithuania and globally?
In the future, transport will keep on developing in the direction of sustainable mobility. I cannot imagine any other way, because we want to remain mobile, but strive to avoid traffic jams, we want to reach our destinations faster, more comfortable and with minimum effect on the environment. It depends on us and on the market trends, on which we often rely, what measures will we take now and in the future: will we choose an electric scooter or a self-balancing board, will we invest in an electric car, or maybe we will come back to good old public transport, which offers indisputable advantages?
I am convinced that during the coming decade self-driving transport will move on from shiny car shows, scientific symposiums and testing grounds onto our roads, and Lithuanians will not only watch it on videos on the internet, but will see it in real life as well. On the other hand, I am quite cautious about extreme technological innovations. Despite it, I am happy to participate in the implementation of the technological advancement of the transport system.
I hope that the transport system will soon reach high electrification rates, and only quiet, energy efficient vehicles that protect human life will ride our streets. Also I would like to see solar panels on the roofs of supermarkets and on the parking lots, and I would be so happy if families with children would opt for bicycles instead of wasting time in traffic jams.
