A guide to autonomous trucking
Autonomous trucking has the potential to transform the transportation industry. By integrating technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and GPS systems, fleets of self-driving trucks could become a reality. However, we are left with the question: if, and when, will self-driving trucks take over?
Organisations are actively exploring self-driving trucks to address contemporary issues like driver shortages and transportation costs. While this innovative concept will meet the demands of our 24/7 society, the path to implementation isn’t so straightforward. The rollout of autonomous trucks is likely to occur in four phases, but significant work needs to be done before this can be achieved.
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What are self driving trucks?
Self-driving trucks, also known as autonomous trucks, are the pinnacle of innovation in the transport industry. Thanks to a reliance on technologies like sensors, satellites, and GPS systems, these vehicles can navigate and operate independently without the need for human intervention. While fully autonomous trucks aren’t on the roads just yet, many organisations are investing in their development and it may not be too long until we see them.
How do self driving trucks work?
Autonomous trucks use sources such as artificial intelligence (AI), sensors, satellites and GPS systems to gather information about their environment. This data is then sent to a computer which analyses it against a library of maps and algorithms. Just like humans, the computer decides the next action based on factors like hazard perception, planning, and control.
Are autonomous trucks the future of the trucking industry?
There is a significant worldwide truck driver shortage with 50,000-60,000 more drivers needed in the industry in the UK. This demand for road freight deliveries continues to grow alongside the rising trend for consumers to buy online, however, the cost of employing a truck driver significantly impacts the total cost of ownership of a truck.
This is why many believe that autonomous trucking could play a vital role in the future of the trucking industry. Not only can they reduce labour costs, but self-driving trucks can operate 24/7 as they won’t need to stop for driver rest time or distance limitations, which in turn, can save fuel and be more efficient than human-operated trucks.
But it’s not as simple as this. Many have different predictions about when self-driving trucks will takeover and become a regular feature on our roads. However, what is believed is that it will be a gradual approach, notably in four phases.
The phases of rolling out autonomous trucks
1. Phases one and two: Constrained Platooning of Trucks
This phrase is currently in activation and revolves around digitally connecting two or more trucks through a dedicated radio frequency, allowing the trucks to communicate with each other.
The first step is to assign a lead truck driver with the following truck(s) being driven by a driver, yet are permitted to operate autonomously. The second step removes the following truck drivers and only occurs on interstate highways in the US, due to the long stretches of uninterrupted road, between dedicated truck stops.
This method is realistically predicted to occur on interstate highways in the US between 2022 and 2025, and in other geographically fenced areas depending on weather and visibility. Some companies are currently testing this platooning concept which can save fuel through improved aerodynamics gained from the trucks travelling close together. Infrastructure allowing the trucks to communicate with traffic lights will be key to making this happen, which is why US highways are the perfect introduction to this autonomous trucking.
2. Phase three: Constrained Autonomy
Constrained autonomy refers to a set-up where the driver is used for the pick-up and delivery sections of the operation, while AI controls the operation between these two points. As with constrained platooning, this set-up only operates on long stretches of road such as US interstate highways.
3. Phase four: Full autonomy
In this final step, fully automated trucks will drive the entire journey, from pick-up to delivery. Initially, drivers will be used to assist and take over in emergency situations, but eventually self-driving trucks will operate the whole journey.
It will likely take many years for this full autonomous trucking fleet to replace the thousands of conventionally driven trucks. Therefore, it is unlikely we will be seeing this in the near future.
Limitations of autonomous trucks
With the many benefits autonomous trucking can bring us, such as tackling the driver shortages that many countries are facing, reduced labour costs, no driver rest time or limitations and saving on fuel, there are many limitations and barriers autonomous trucking has. These factors prevent it from being implemented everywhere.
Road congestion
Cities and urban areas are a particular problem for autonomous trucks, with these areas being much more congested and more difficult to navigate than highways and motorways. Truck Platooning can also only work when trucks travel to the same destination, and so the ability for trucks to leave and join whilst travelling is an added complication that would need to be further explored.
Limited geographical scope
There is also the added complication that these autonomous trucks have been designed to initially start driving on US interstate highways. But what about other countries? US interstate highways don’t have the interruption of many traffic lights, junctions or roundabouts that roads in other countries have. Autonomous trucking must explore how the trucks can communicate with traffic lights, roundabouts and other junctions before they can introduce the practice into the UK and other European countries.
For now, it seems the US will be seeing autonomous trucking on interstate highways long before they are on the roads in the UK and the rest of Europe.
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