Study on the social dimension of the transition to automation and digitalisation in transport, focusing on the labour force

In the next decade, automation and digitalisation will drastically change the way transport systems operate and change the way in which transport services are provided. The impact of automation and digitalisation will also be visible to the transport labour market, i.e. some jobs and skills are at high risk of automation and digitalisation while for other type of jobs and skills the ongoing transformation may present new opportunities, for instance the creation of new type of jobs, improved working conditions and the promotion of diversity in transport jobs.

Ecorys, together with CERTH-HIT, recently completed a study that analysed the social dimension of the transition to automation and digitalisation in transport. The study was implemented for the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) of the European Commission. The report on the study, published on the website of the European Commission, describes 12 policy-oriented recommendations and 10 good practice measures to accompany the transition to automation and digitalisation for the labour force in transport, looking at the situation from a European perspective and considering all modes of transport. Furthermore, the report also provides an analysis of transport stakeholders’ awareness, preparedness and need for guidance based on an extensive stakeholder consultation.

The 12 policy-oriented recommendations take the analysis of the level of awareness and preparedness of transport stakeholders, and their need for guidance and accompanying measures into account. They are placed in a transition framework, providing an overview of preconditions that are essential to a smooth transition and enablers that will contribute to this smooth transition.