Texas highways may soon see self-driving semitrucks without any use of human operators. Kodiak Robotics, based near Austin, is leading this autonomous trucking revolution.
They plan to launch unmanned trucks by the end of 2024.
There are more than 10 other companies in Texas that have started testing or operating self-driving vehicles. These companies include Aurora, Waymo, Zoox, and Mars Auto.
Autonomous vehicles could ease supply chain issues and improve truckers’ lives. However, the Texas Trucking Association isn’t aiming to replace human drivers. Instead, they’re focusing on enhancing road safety and freight efficiency.
State officials are upgrading a 21-mile stretch of SH 130 near Pflugerville and Hutto. This “smart corridor” will feature new technology to guide automated trucks. The project aims to streamline transportation and potentially save lives and is expected to be completed in 2025.
The Insurance Institute for Highway safety shows that 25 states have laws allowing autonomous vehicles. Twelve other states allow for testing only.
Autonomous truck companies must report crashes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Waymo and Cruise lead in collision numbers among 39 companies.
Dan Goff, head of policy at Kodiak, stated “Autonomous trucks differ from cars as they have more predictable driving patterns, fewer obstacles, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and stop lights. The Kodiak system doesn’t get tired; it doesn’t get distracted; it doesn’t check its phone; it doesn’t have a bad day and take it out on the road.”
Kodiak has recorded over 3 million miles in their self-driving trucks. Only three incidents have been reported from all of that road time. All those reported were while a driver was operating the truck in manual mode.
This does not minimize the concern among truck drivers.
“We’d like to see as much restriction and oversight as what we see on drivers who have already proven themselves,” Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association EVP Lewie Pugh said.
Many drivers have concerns as well as seen on several social media posts.
One person asked, “Are the driverless trucks required to be marked in some way stating they are driverless?”
Many people questioned whether that would be beneficial in any way. A few noted it would be helpful to know if a truck was self-driving.
We could not find any current requirements for a truck to be marked as self-driving.
The questions around whether self-driving cars are really ready for live use are a big concern among drivers.
Some Texas residents made reference to the HN19 bill that passed in 2021. This bill shield companies from commercial vehicle crashes. Basically, it states that if you are in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you will have a hard time winning damages if you sue.
Many questioned if sponsors of the bill knew about the impending self-driving explosion and wanted to protect interests.
Texas’s supportive culture for autonomous trucking stems from a 2017 law. This legislation prevents cities from regulating autonomous vehicles. The state’s lucrative freight routes also attract companies to test their technology here.
Human truck drivers face strict driving limits. Autonomous trucks could operate without these restrictions. This could significantly increase freight movement efficiency.
The trucking industry has faced challenges in recent years. An influx of inexperienced drivers in 2020 led to lower rates and increased accidents. Operating costs have also risen sharply.
Experts predict autonomous long-haul trucking could save manufacturers nearly 30% in transportation costs by 2040. This technology could revolutionize the freight industry. However, its full impact remains to be seen.
