Last modified on October 21, 2024

Exploring automated driving impacts on business models in passenger and freight transport
A survey by PwC carried out with 73 Swiss business leaders in the passenger and freight transport sector examines the industry’s opinions regarding automated driving from a business perspective. The survey questions focused on the strategic view on automated driving, the company’s maturity level, opportunities and risks, as well as the impact on the operational model and day-to-day business.
Nowadays, other considerations than technological feasibility and legal issues are coming to the forefront around automated driving: strategic questions regarding adjustments to offerings, customer acceptance, the scalability and profitability of business models, as well as the practical integration into existing operations to fully benefit from the technology advantages.
25 % of the survey respondents expect automated driving to offer significant cost-saving potential: the three most frequently mentioned opportunities are reduced personnel costs (63 %), more efficient operational processes (56 %) and the development of new business models (55 %).
To realise this potential, companies must make targeted adjustments to various components such as data management, physical infrastructure and operational processes. They must ensure that the upcoming transformation is socially responsible with respect to their workforce. 66 % of respondents believe that the role of driving personnel will change thanks to automated systems. Measures to further develop employee competencies across various business areas are therefore essential.
Many companies have already conducted strategic or operational analyses (47 %) or evaluated the impact on their business models (37 %). However, 29 % reported to have not yet or barely engaged with the topic so far, and notably, more from the freight transport sector (37 %) than from the passenger transport sector (26 %). Only a very small number of companies are gradually integrating automated vehicles into their fleets (4 %) or training their employees on the topic (8 %).
The evolving regulatory framework, which will advance with the Swiss Road Traffic Act and the Automated Driving Ordinance (AFV) from the first quarter of 2025, offers companies the opportunity to engage with the topic in a structured way, form partnerships and implement initial measures.
Download the full survey report here