12:31 - 4.06.2026

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June 4, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijan's transport sector is entering a stage of large-scale transformation.

ABC.AZ informs that Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rahman Gummetov made this statement at a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy, Industry & Entrepreneurship.

According to Gummetov, one of the key trends is the introduction of autonomous vehicles, which are being tested in many countries.

Gummetov noted that such technologies not only change the principles of operation of transport systems, but also increase safety, efficiency and quality of services.

"From angle of safety, according to the World Health Organization, nearly 1.2 million people die every year as a result of road accidents in the world. Roughly 90% of accidents relate to a human factor - inattention, fatigue or violation of traffic rules.

In this context, autonomous vehicles are already demonstrating their potential at an early stage. AI-based control systems can reduce the risks associated with the human factor, thereby reducing the number of accidents and severity of their consequences. This is an important step towards a safer and more efficient future of transport," the deputy minister added.

According to Gummetov, the technology also has an economic effect: it optimizes fuel consumption, increases logistics efficiency and partially solves the problem of driver shortage.

"There is shortage of close to 3.6 million drivers in the world, and another 3.4 million people are expected to retire in the next 5 years. This will increase the global shortage of personnel," he noted.