Daragh Mahon is the EVP and CIO of Werner Enterprises.
Long considered a technology of the future, autonomous vehicles (AVs) are officially an innovation for today in the transportation and logistics industry. From driverless delivery pods to robotaxi services, AVs are already deployed across the U.S.
There are a lot of opinions when it comes to AVs, so let’s start with some basic facts:
1. AV technology will not replace truck drivers. There will always be a need for professional drivers, and AVs will create more desirable jobs and more home time for drivers.
2. Safety in trucking has already improved due to the integration of AV technologies like collision mitigation, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control into vehicles.
3. AVs are everywhere. As a result of extensive testing, they drove nearly 70 million miles on public roads by the end of 2023, equivalent to driving across Route 66 more than 29,000 times.
Because of these three facts and other lessons learned, AV technology in transportation and logistics continues to gain traction. Today’s transportation sector leaders are collaborating with technology providers to refine and validate their solutions with drivers. This is evident in a recent study that found the demand for autonomous trucks is estimated to reach $6.9 billion by 2028, a 109% increase from $3.3 billion in 2023.
The Impact of AVs On Drivers
According to 2022 American Trucking Association (ATA) data, the transportation sector will need approximately 1.2 million new drivers over the following 10 years to support the growing demands of freight. At the same time, predictions say national driver shortages could reach shortage by 2030.
AVs are well-positioned to augment—not replace—the current driver workforce. Not only do they offer solutions improving driver safety, but they also help make driver roles more desirable by enabling drivers to spend more time at home and have more regular schedules, addressing long-held complaints within the industry.
As autonomous vehicle testing continues, professional drivers must remain central to the conversation. For this to be successful, drivers must continue to be regularly consulted about their feedback on the technology and help validate its effectiveness on the road.
How Autonomous Trucks Are Already Enhancing Safety And Success
Autonomous technologies—like collision avoidance systems, automatic emergency braking and advanced driver assistance—are already widely adopted to support safety outcomes. They help detect when there is a risk of a crash or other incidents, alert the driver to potential dangers and even help maintain vehicle control and initiate braking.
Automated technologies are proven to help reduce crashes and improve safety on the road. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automatic emergency braking could prevent more than 19,000 crashes, 8,800 injuries and more than 155 deaths annually. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found in 2020 that forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking technology reduced rear-end crashes by 44% and 41%, respectively.
The transportation sector has learned a lot from testing and validating these technologies, and they continue to evolve as we learn more about what’s needed to support drivers.
The State Of AV Technology And Testing In Transportation
With safety and driver experiences at the forefront, the transportation and technology industries are deeply invested in getting autonomous trucking right and supporting the best rollout of AV.
This thorough vetting is critical for making sure the driver is considered throughout the process and that we are building trust in the technology and ensuring safer roadways. We need to be on the leading edge—not the bleeding edge—to ensure the technology is optimal and designed for safety and success.
Together, industry leaders continue to invest in, test and validate solutions promoting safety, innovation and a positive driver experience. It’s also critical these solutions are scalable to provide broader support across the nation and long term.
Today, the transportation sector aims to deploy solutions within very well-defined locations and boundaries. Hub-to-hub models are one such application, with the autonomous truck moving on a specified area within the interstate with a delivery lot on either end. Once a vehicle arrives, a professional driver will take over and get the load to its end destination.
We also see AVs being tested in warehouses and at distribution centers. Smaller vehicles help move goods across lots, saving time and resources that could be used to focus on other tasks.
Existing Challenges For Full-Scale Deployment
As with any new technology, obstacles could hinder large-scale adoption, and the industry must learn to navigate these challenges.
As mentioned, safety must remain a top priority. Testing remains ongoing to ensure the technology meets industry-wide safety standards. While deployment may look different across operators, it is critical everyone meets the same requirements necessary for a safe operation.
Similarly, autonomous trucks can only be operated in ideal conditions—uncontrolled factors like inclement weather and significant construction will impact whether an AV can move a load on a given day.
Legislation also remains a challenge. Commercial vehicles need consistent regulations to ensure these technologies can be deployed and leveraged easily and efficiently. The industry is working with policymakers to ensure regulations make sense and are consistent across the U.S.
Finally, another obstacle is public awareness, visibility and trust in AVs. Industry organizations like ATA are helping make these vehicles more visible to the general public, improving comfort levels and building confidence in the solutions.
The Road Ahead For AVs
AVs are necessary for the transportation sector to support growing freight needs while creating a positive experience for drivers and customers. Industry-wide collaboration is critical to getting this technology right and launching solutions to improve efficiencies and enhance over-the-road safety.
As we look toward the future of the transportation sector, we recognize that technology and innovation will be integral to our success. It’s an exciting time for the industry as momentum builds for these types of solutions, and we evolve to better support our customers and their long-term growth.
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