COVID-19 as a trigger for global transport infrastructure digitalization

Abstract

The global transport infrastructure has evolved in recent years, gradually incorporating digital innovations into traditional processes and services. However, everywhere the process of digitalization was hindered by the priority and low cost of classic forms of transport services, the absence of strict requirements for compliance with the conditions of contactless movement of products and prevention of the spread of infections. According to the authors, the vector for total digitalization was taken after the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The authors analyzed the implementation of digital tools until 2019, assessing the degree of implementation and coverage of digital innovations in the global transport industry. Having studied the transport system of Russia, as one of the world’s largest systems, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors showed how the structure of cargo turnover by the mode of transport has changed and which industries have suffered the most damage. Having calculated the forecast of digitalization growth and the dynamics of the share of digitized processes in the global transport infrastructure, the authors have come to the conclusions about the acceleration of the accumulated potential of digitalization of the transport sector in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.