New Technologies in North East Scotland – Drones and Innovations in Automated Logistics

Nestrans manages the transport aspects of the Aberdeen City Region Deal (ACRD), specifically the Strategic Transport Appraisal (STA). The STA takes a long term view of regional transport needs and provides an evidence base to guide future investment decisions. It assesses the transport implications of the development and economic activity unlocked by the Deal across all modes, including road, rail, and wider mobility systems. The STA supports the region’s economic transformation, particularly in the context of energy transition and diversification away from oil and gas, and aligns transport planning with local, regional, and national priorities such as the Regional and Local Transport Strategies and the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

This study provides strategic insight that complements these ongoing transport decarbonisation and innovation programmes, helping ensure that emerging technologies - such as drones and innovations in automated logistics - are assessed in a way that is consistent with the region’s long term transport objectives and future focused strategic planning.