The forecast for the UK's empty national road freight transport volume shows a steady decline from 1.18 billion vehicle-kilometers in 2024 to 1.03 billion by 2028. This indicates a decrease of approximately 6.1% over this period, with an average annual decline (CAGR) of around 3.4% across the five years. As a backdrop, in 2023, the actual measured volume was recorded slightly above the 2024 projection, reinforcing the downward trend.
Future trends to watch for include technological advancements in logistics efficiency, economic factors influencing demand for freight, and potential regulatory changes aimed at reducing empty load trips to improve sustainability in transport operations.