Truckpark of the Future

Four years on, this campaign revisits the predictions made in 2020 to readdress the European Union's ambition to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050.

Developments in self-driving trucks have accelerated, and manufacturers are promising Level 4 autonomy by 2030. Truck parking security continues to grow in importance, with millions being invested across Europe to heighten the safety of haulage facilities via pioneering technologies.

But as the 21st century develops, will we see the introduction of robotic security dogs and wind-powered truck stops - and what role will driving professionals play in the evolution of autonomy?

As we approach 2049 - a year before the climate-neutral target - how much will truck parks have progressed, and how will advances in future fuels and alternative propulsion, automation and multifunctional spaces benefit the haulage industry?

INSIDE THE TRUCK PARK OF THE FUTURE

The UK Government invested £200 million in 2023 to create new jobs and provide crucial infrastructure to help the haulage sector decarbonise. Large-scale funding can transform the transport industry into a tech-functional future - offering advanced solutions such as autonomous driving systems, renewable energy sources, and efficient vehicle management to optimise productivity and maximise revenue.

THE VEHICLES

Self-driving trucks and semi-autonomous vehicles

The evolution of HGV tech in the years leading up to 2049 will revolutionise the haulage sector. With a 50% chance that machines could take over all human jobs in the next 120 years, the role of self-driving technology in the industry's future is undeniable. As self-driving vehicles already navigate UK motorways, autonomous trucks are poised to play a significant role in 2049.

Experienced drivers will continue to be vital in the era of autonomous vehicles, playing a crucial role in training measures on vehicle operation. Their expertise and guidance will be instrumental in the industry's transition, ensuring self-driving technology's safe and efficient operation.

Automated lane-keeping systems will revolutionise the haulage sector, paving the way for higher levels of autonomy. By 2049, trucks could operate 24 hours daily and drive a consistent mileage rate, making them safer and more fuel-efficient.

Automated driving systems could significantly reduce human error, the most significant cause of road accidents. Over a decade, they could potentially prevent 47,000 severe accidents and save 3,900 lives.

POWER OPTIONS

Hydrogen fuel

Industry leaders are considering hydrogen as a leading option to create cleaner and more sustainable road transport. Hydrogen fuel provides two options:

A fuel cell that uses hydrogen to generate electricity to power an electric motor
Hydrogen as a fuel for combustion engines.

In both cases, adopting green hydrogen can reduce CO2 emissions by 100%. Vehicles using hydrogen as a fuel source will only emit water vapour - replacing gas emissions and negating environmental damage.

Volvo will begin on-road tests with hydrogen-using trucks in 2026, a step toward achieving net zero and reaching decarbonisation targets. The company also revealed that green-powered commercial trucks will be commercially available by the decade's end.

The industry powerhouse, Volvo, has stated that hydrogen-powered HGVs will have the same performance and reliability as their diesel trucks and be capable of driving long distances—an essential step to achieving 2040 as a target for 100% zero emissions.

"Future fuels are one of the answers to replacing unsustainable gas fuels, and we imagine Truck Park 2049 will offer hydrogen as one of the fuel options, as the investment is realistic, feasible and environmentally friendly. Converting the existing gas fuel infrastructure will be transformed to fit the hydrogen need," says Matthew Bellamy, Managing Director, SNAP.

Electric vehicles

The original deadline for selling new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK has been postponed to 2035. Other European countries are introducing the ban in 2025. So, by 2049, electric vehicles will be ubiquitous globally, but what does this mean for the haulage industry?

Fleets will notice immediate financial benefits and reap the rewards of efficient vehicle management. Electric HGVs won't need fuel and will have fewer components to maintain. The driver role may develop to include basic mechanic training to keep electric vehicles running smoothly.

Plus, electric batteries will advance by 2049 to allow trucks to travel further distances without recharging. Truck stops will modernise to accommodate electric vehicles. Truck Park 2049 will include ultra-rapid electric charging stations - replacing obsolete petrol pumps.350kW charging technology will enable HGVs to travel up to 100 miles from a five-minute charge - and payment will be via contactless solutions.

In June 2024, the RHA stressed the importance of investing in the infrastructure for electric trucks - highlighting the need for a public charging network throughout the UK for haulage as an essential method for reducing CO2 emissions.

"Electric cars are already demonstrating their benefits on roads worldwide, and it won't be long before we see electrically powered HGVs becoming common in the industry. As charging technology develops, electricity will play a big part in the future of haulage", says Matthew Bellamy.

Battery tech

The impending power revolution will be in full swing by 2049. Battery technology could be the keystone of the energy transition, facilitating the decarbonisation of the transport sector and providing a critical backstop for intermittent solar and wind energy in power generation. However, the widely used lithium-ion battery may not be up to the task of carrying the future of the global economy.

One of the biggest challenges for the battery industry is developing and manufacturing solid-state batteries on a large scale. The ambition is to create solid-state batteries suitable for electric vehicles. Engineers plan to substantially surpass lithium-ion batteries' performance, safety, and processing limitations.

Research into megawatt charging could be the perfect solution for long-haul trucks. Reports indicate that after driving for 4.5 hours and stopping for a driver's break, drivers can recharge during their 45-minute break and drive another 4.5 hours on the same battery - without overloading stress on the batteries.

The limits of future batteries are endless, and there is an array of exciting concepts besides lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. For example, IBM's battery is sourced from seawater and outperforms lithium-ion batteries. IBM technology is suitable for electric vehicles, too, and they are working with Mercedes-Benz to develop the idea into a viable commercial battery.

"By 2049, the battery revolution will remodel truck stops into quick resting places to charge electric lorries, enabling vehicles to travel far greater distances from a single battery charge," says Nick Long, European Strategic Partnership & Development Manager, SNAP.

Wind power

Despite the growing number of wind turbines appearing on European roads, wind-powered energy could still play a far more significant role in the energy efficiency of a truck park. Europe's first prestigious Dekra platinum-certified truck park has opened in Romania. The facility operates on wind power electricity, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.

THE PEOPLE

Driver Welfare

Providing more secure roadside facilities will be crucial for drivers to carry out their roles effectively. A report from the RHA found that 62% of drivers were dissatisfied with UK roadside facilities overall.

"The most important thing is the sense of security. If a driver feels comfortable taking a break and does not have to worry about their goods and fuel, then the comfort of work increases," says Rafał Kaszuba, fleet manager for Delintra S.P ZOO.

Providing a secure space is vital in enhancing driver welfare, where drivers can rest without fear of theft or harm. After long hours of isolation, these stops must provide a safe environment where drivers can interact with their peers - essential to reducing stress. With advancements in AI technology and human-less policing, Truck Park 2049 will provide a social hub for drivers where security fears could be a thing of the past.

"The industry must not overlook the importance of driver welfare. Investing in safe and secure truck stops will positively affect driver stress levels and mental health. By 2049, we'd like to see an environment where drivers can rest and socialise without fear of cargo theft," says Matthew Bellamy.

Trucker tuck shops

In 2024, the Government announced a £16 million boost to transform truck stops. The investment will upgrade security, showers, and restaurants at 38 stops.

The 2049 landscape of these stops could look very different, offering 24/7 access to healthy, hot, and fresh meals. Modern vending machines will serve nutritious options, ensuring drivers can always access meals regardless of schedule. Unlike traditional vending machines, these systems can deliver freshly prepared meals and cater to dietary preferences to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Driving regulations/safety laws

The EU mobility package legislation focuses on driving, rest time rules and tachographs. Under the current rest time rules, drivers cannot spend weekly rest periods inside their vehicles under any circumstances.

Drivers must return home every four weeks to ensure adequate rest and promote a healthier work-life balance.

New rules offer specific provisions for rest breaks on ferries and rail services. Drivers can now account for specific travel periods as rest, provided they meet particular conditions. But 2049 could present new regulations. Autonomous vehicles will open the door for autopilot features, and drivers might be able to rest and recharge during a working journey - remodelling current rules.

"The inevitable influx of autonomy and self-driving trucks will mean re-evaluating rest rules and legislation. The rate of technological advancement will mean that regulations will have to adapt to keep up with the pace of the industry," says Matthew Bellamy.

Driver skills and training

The truck driving job in 2049 will likely look very different from the position in 2024, and the redeveloped role will need a new set of skills and infrastructure. Self-driving vehicles and autonomy could reduce licencing requirements and generate appeal to a broader audience - potentially even closing the long-standing gender gap. It still needs to be determined what the industry transformation will look like, but driver skills and training will inevitably differ.

As trucks reach Level 4 autonomy, solid training infrastructure is required to ensure safe and efficient operations. In the future, the industry could see advanced simulation environments mimicking real-world driving conditions for AI systems to learn and adapt to various scenarios.

Dedicated spaces for high-fidelity mapping and data collection tools will be essential, as will collaboration with regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to ensure training protocols meet safety standards.

A study by the University of Nottingham and the RAC Foundation suggests that behavioural training is paramount to transitioning drivers into the next stage of automated vehicles. The study found that drivers who received behavioural training were more measured in their behaviour and better understood the vehicle's capabilities and limitations. One key finding in the behavioural training group was that drivers were significantly more likely to notice a potential hazard during the transition from automated to manual driving.

"We know that the trucker of 2049 may be very different from the driver of today, but we still expect them to be an essential part of the industry.

"The skills drivers need to have in the armoury will change to reflect the new responsibilities, but training will be crucial to upholding haulage standards. Dedicated training spaces to test autonomous vehicles will be the new norm. Therefore, the industry must expand to meet these needs, " says Matthew Bellamy.

THE TECH

Human-less policing & security

New developments in AI technology could revolutionise security measures at truck stops across Europe. Police in the Netherlands have started testing autonomous robot dogs to examine drug labs during raids. The 2049 truck park could see this method introduced to maintain stringent security measures, deterring theft and providing a safe space for drivers to rest.

The National Union of Road Hauliers from Romania inaugurated the first European truck parking area with a Dekra Platinum certification, guaranteeing the highest level of security and safety.

With 160 cameras and 24/7 security, the site has trained personnel dedicated to video monitoring. Providing a robust network of safe and secure truck stops will contribute to the haulage sector while improving driver welfare.

Thermal imaging can detect intruders in any weather conditions. During the day or night, intruders are easily identifiable via a heat signature - allowing the operator to see what the eye cannot.

With facial recognition, operators can profile customers and create demographic insights on who enters the site. Sites can benefit from facial recognition to enhance their security and accurately identify individuals - reducing the risk of unauthorised access.

In 2023, a TAPA EMEA report stated the number of reported cargo thefts was over 50,000, resulting in over 140 thefts daily. Government funding to install secure fencing is a positive step to reducing this number. With safety a high priority, Truck Park 2049 will invest in higher security measures as technology advances.

Contactless payments

The 2024 consumer uses daily contactless transactions, and it has grown into the payment of choice, with a study confirming that 79% of respondents use contactless payments worldwide. 46% moved contactless cards to the top of their wallet, 82% viewed contactless as the cleaner way to pay, and 74% said they would continue using contactless payments post-pandemic.

More than half of consumers are concerned about handling notes and coins - meaning 60% plan on using online and contactless payments instead of physical currency. Almost a third are open to retiring notes and coins from use.

Trends will include:

Taps replacing swipes, and phones replacing wallets.
Facial ID and biometrics remove the need for physical payments.
Voice assistance enabling in-car payment options.

Advantages of contactless payments include faster payments, lower checkout times, and reduced lines. Safe and secure for customers, less friction during the purchase process, and a high standard of fraud protection from issuers.

Contactless payment systems benefit fleet companies on the SNAP network. SNAP customer Boekestijn Transport stated their drivers had avoided extra costs through contactless payment using SNAP kiosks.

As contactless payment opportunities continue to grow, Truck Park 2049 will adopt in-truck payment options via voice assistance. But, inventive contactless progression could create a new ball game for future generations. Trucks could be scanned on entry, automatically sending a bill to the fleet account. As cash becomes a distant memory, we will start to see a surge in facial ID and biometrics technology for transactions.

"We have already seen the importance and benefits of cashless payments through our SNAP Account service. Making payments digital is safer and helps streamline bookkeeping for all parties. We are very excited to see what the future holds for contactless truck parking payments," says Lisa McIntyre.

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Digital transformation - supply chain

The challenge for companies in the future will be developing supply chain relationships that facilitate collaboration, experimentation, and trust across organisational boundaries. Companies must be open to sharing information and assets in ways that were previously considered taboo.

These new approaches could include:

Identify collaboration opportunities
Create KPIs that reflect the gains from collaboration
Develop responsive contracts.

Harvard Business Review believes it is time to adopt a new vision. It is one that still leverages capabilities located around the world and improves collaboration and trust across organisational boundaries.

Experimentation, collaboration, and trust are vital to the haulage industry's success. SNAP hopes to provide its services worldwide by 2049.

Driving progress in truck park development

Innovations and technological advancements are providing the building blocks for Truck Park 2049. The combination of vehicle evolution, wind power, and advanced security measures will revolutionise the haulage sector, creating a safer, cost-efficient, and sustainable future for the industry.

Redefining the driver role in 2049 will mean something other than trucker extinction. Drivers will still be a key component of the integral haulage machine, and regulations, laws, and training will facilitate their reimagined role. Driver welfare will be at the forefront, with truck parks providing a secure hub for drivers to relax, socialise and recharge.

SNAP continues to work with service partners to promote state-of-the-art facilities and robust security measures for Truck Park 2049 to be possible.

The modern truck parking experience will cater for a new-age industry. Contactless payment options will become seamless, and trucks can recharge, wash, refuel, and remain secure in the sanctuary of their parking space.

SNAP is the market-leading smart payment provider for the UK haulage industry. Pioneering industry automation and digital breakthroughs are in our DNA, and by 2049, we aim to adopt these emerging technologies into our SNAP Account service globally.

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