Standing between Perth and Sydney are some of
the driest places in the country that span more than 500,000 square miles. In
fact, at one point, it got so hot in Central Australia that the Australian
Bureau of Meteorology added deep purple to their thermal charts. The deserts of
Australia pose a logistical challenge due to the scorching climate and the
endless expanse of sand. On top of that is the concern over fuel consumption,
as Sydney is almost 2,500 miles away from Perth.
Logistics can become a challenge not only in
this particular region but nationwide as well. Western Australia, for example,
occupies a third of the entire land mass, which means long and arduous drives
for truckers. Major arteries for the region are located in the north and south
coasts, but no roads exist further inland. In other words, if trucks want to
travel from the north to the south, they have to go around the barrens instead
of cross them.
It's for this reason that Australia invests
heavily on its road network; the deserts are the last place you want to drive
through. A series of expressways provide a faster and more efficient link to
major cities all over the country. Whether the truck's carrying water or
precious cargo, challenges in logistics is an inevitable part of the industry.
Novel solutions may result in new problems, but they can also result in
innovation.
