Rethinking cross-border road transport planning and building resilient systems to meet global externalities

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2023.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