Third of transport professionals still unsure about autonomous vehicles

More than 33% of transport industry professionals do not believe autonomous vehicles will work, according to findings from the Microlise Transport Conference post event report.  

The statistics, covered in full in the dossier which has been released today, were captured during interactive voting on questions at what is now the largest road transport conference in Europe, attended by more than 1,000 delegates. 

The report goes further than last year, by providing an in depth view of the road transport industry in 2016 on a range of key issues, with responses broken down by sector, age, job position and gender.

“We compile this report each year with the aim of delivering the most accurate reflection of the sentiment in the transport industry right now, across the key issues,” said Nadeem Raza, chief executive officer, Microlise. 

“The findings tell us that the industry is still not sold on the potential of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles – despite many experts predicting them on our roads in the not too distant future. It’s also interesting to note that industry support for leaving the EU aligns with last week’s referendum result.”

Despite a majority giving their support for a leave vote, when questioned about the EU, 43% said that they felt leaving would have a negative effect on the haulage industry.  

Alongside a lack of faith in the EU and autonomous vehicles, the statistics also show that 84% believe the Government’s support for the transport industry is unchanged since the Conservatives came to power. More than 58% of delegates feel the situation in Calais has gotten worse in the last year.  

“Standing at the podium I was struck by an audience defined by its reasonable views, moderate politics, inclusive attitudes and tenacious work ethic,” Conference Chair Quentin Willson commented as part of his foreword which is published in full in the report. 

The date of next year’s Microlise Transport Conference has been announced as May 17, and it will again be held at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry.