By Jack Shaw, Syndicated Columnist
The trucking industry faces a global driver shortage, so it has turned to autonomous trucks to close the gap. These self-driving commercial vehicles demonstrate the sector’s future, and the next few years will significantly determine their staying power as logistics professionals equip autonomous fleets.
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) reports the industry has about 3 million unfilled positions in the 36 countries and 4,700 trucking companies it studied. The IRU’s projects also show that the driver shortage will double in the next five years.
These projections emphasize the industry’s urgency to fill the gaps and supply companies with enough workers. In the meantime, logistics leaders are testing autonomous trucks to see if they can solve the driver shortage. No company has successfully made self-driving trucks widespread, but the future is promising thanks to innovative researchers.
Autonomous trucks could come this year through a partnership with Maersk and Kodiak Robotics. The pair plans to produce self-driving commercial trucks in 2024 after successfully launching a commercial trucking lane in the United States. This freight lane spanning Oklahoma City and Houston launched in late 2022 and has delivered about eight loads weekly during its test period.
Another self-driving project could come soon through Aurora Innovation, a software company based in Pittsburgh. The organization says it will deploy around 20 autonomous trucks by the end of 2024 and increase production. It plans to eventually sell its trucks to other businesses wanting to employ self-driving transport vehicles.
Daimler Truck has been planning an SAE Level 4 autonomous machine since 2022 at its Stuttgart, Germany, development center. Daimler — one of the largest commercial truck manufacturers worldwide — plans for production in 2027 in conjunction with subsidiary Torc Robotics. The company’s trucks currently employ level 2 autonomy, but Daimler says it will skip to level 4 to achieve driverless operations.
While commercial truck manufacturers plan to debut their autonomous vehicles, some companies have already launched these machines on a smaller scale. For instance, in 2021, Walmart launched its driverless trucks in Bentonville, Arkansas, to ship supplies from a warehouse to a nearby store.
Autonomous trucks are on track to become the standard for logistics professionals, but they face an uphill battle with federal and state regulations. Most American states permit self-driving vehicles, but the legislation differs in each jurisdiction.
For example, Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas permit autonomous commercial vehicles, but a driver needs to be present for trucks in Arizona, Nebraska and Kansas. Traveling between states will be challenging with the different regulations, as the rules may change once you cross borders. Therefore, nationwide guidance will be necessary to ensure fluidity and seamless logistics for trucking companies.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has yet to say much about autonomous trucks, but the agency is researching and assembling its guidelines for self-driving commercial vehicles. DOT has said its focus is CMVs equipping levels 4 and 5 technology because no driver is behind the wheel.
It’s only a matter of time before autonomous trucks become the norm, so how will they impact the industry? Their primary motivations are cost savings, safety and efficiency.
Logistics managers can run their autonomous trucks at night when there is less traffic, thus increasing safety and reducing road congestion. These self-driving commercial vehicles won’t get sleepy like humans, so fatigue will be less of an issue. Additionally, the trucks won’t be distracted by cell phones or events happening on the side of the road.
Insurers may decrease logistics companies’ rates if self-driving trucks prove safer than human-operated transport. A potential decrease would prove crucial, as reports show insurance premiums increased by 47% between 2009 and 2018 due to increased lawsuit payouts. However, the trucks must demonstrate a lower risk of crashes than the public has already seen.
While they have the potential to be safer, autonomous trucks have a long way to go before they can stand out as the less risky option. Incidents in the past few years have raised questions about the safety of self-driving commercial vehicles.
For example, in 2022, a TuSimple autonomous truck abruptly swerved and hit a barricade on Interstate 10 in Tucson, Arizona. While it didn’t injure anybody, the accident fueled skepticism about whether this advanced technology is ready for the mainstream.
Logistics companies must also address the question of liability. Who is legally responsible if the autonomous truck hits another car? Will the company have to cover the expenses? Will there be any criminal charges if a death occurs? State and federal court cases will significantly determine the staying power of self-driving trucks if litigation arises.
These unknown variables emphasize the need for federal guidance on autonomous commercial vehicles.
Jack Shaw is an accomplished automotive writer with a flair for adventure and a passion for all things on and off-road. Serving as the automotive editor of Modded and having written for Ford Muscle, Offroad Xtreme, and more, his articles are a testament to his knowledge and love for the automotive industry.
Editor’s Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the National Motorists Association.
