A recent survey by Tech.co, a logistic tech site, revealed 65% of U.S. freight professionals expect widespread use of self-driving trucks by 2050.
Plans to introduce self-driving trucks on U.S. roads are already in fruition, as Aurora Innovation recently announced it’s launching fully autonomous trucks on a 200-mile stretch of I-45 in Texas.
U.S. freight professionals predict swift transition to autonomous trucks
Though the majority of U.S.freight professionals (65%) expect to see widespread use of self-driving trucks by 2050, 42% of surveyed freight professionals expect widespread adoption of driver-less trucks by as soon as 2040.
Tech.co’s finding suggests a significant portion of America’s freight industry foresees a relatively swift transition to self-driving trucks.
Once the technology matures and regulatory clarity emerges, this form of autonomous tech could become even more integrated into U.S. road freight.
Where you could see self-driving trucks
Tech.co asked 518 U.S. logistic professionals where self-driving trucks could be a good solution:
- Low traffic hours (32%)
- Long-haul highway journeys (31%)
- Highway journeys between distribution centers (29%)
- Short haul journeys (18%)
Situations with minimal other road users such as low traffic hours, within port and distribution centres, or long-haul highway stretches were commonly cited as potential scenarios.
This shows that many logistic professionals view self-driving trucks as a realistic prospect in controlled environments where the complexities of autonomous driving are more manageable.
The data also suggests that logistic professionals are less in favor of autonomous vehicles being used for shorter journeys, as just 18% of respondents selected short haul.
Could autonomous trucks replace human drivers?
If given the choice between using a self-driving truck, or hiring a new driver, nearly a fifth (19%) of respondents say they would opt for self-driving trucks over recruiting a new driver.
Though staff shortages are a big problem within the U.S. logistics sector, freight demand is currently booming, with 87% of surveyed transport and shipping professionals saying they have enough freight to haul.
Without enough staff to help meet this demand, freight companies may be forced to turn to modern technologies to help fulfil demand.
Tech.co’s Editor, Jack Turner, comments:
“Autonomous trucks may seem like a far flung future vision, but the reality is they’re already here, with states such as Texas opening their roads to the technology. Despite being in its infancy, our research shows that the logistics industry is mostly feeling optimistic about self-driving trucks, possibly fueled by the ongoing recruitment crisis that has been hampering logistics in recent years. ”
Editor of The Inside Lane trucking newsletter, Bianca Prieto, adds:
“We recognize that technology is shaping the future of freight, including the potential role of autonomous trucks. At the same time, professional drivers continue to play a critical role in keeping goods moving safely and efficiently.”
