Human error causes most large-truck wrecks. People get distracted, fall asleep and act impulsively. We are approaching a future where semi-trucks drive themselves, but are computer-calculated decisions actually safer than those made by humans?
As the automotive industry turns to tech that could remove humans from vehicles, we must consider the consequences. The quest to create a driverless semi-truck has been a near-impossible one, manufacturers have found.
If you were driving down the highway and saw a commercial motor vehicle in the lane beside you without a human in control, would you feel safer? Would you trust the technology?
Here is the most up-to-date information on self-driving trucks, including their risks, benefits and what to expect.
Can semis drive themselves?
Some self-driving semi-trucks have been performing well in supervised test runs, sources report. After years of trial and error, some companies believe they are ready. Aurora Innovation is one.
One of the only organizations still pursuing autonomous technology in large trucks, Aurora Innovation is producing fully self-driving semis. The commercial motor vehicles are saddled with 25 laser, radar and camera sensors. On test tracks, they steer clear of debris and obstacles (including pedestrians).
But, according to the AP News article, the controlled test runs only reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. The average highway speed limit in the United States is about 70 mph.
The trucks are programmed to pull over when safe and call for aid when maintenance issues occur. Until it is used in real-world scenarios, though, there’s no way to know how effective the system is.
Why are companies trying to create driverless semi-trucks?
When drivers of commercial motor vehicles make mistakes, they can cause catastrophic accidents. Common mistakes are driving while distracted, drowsy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol; speeding; losing control of the vehicle in bad weather; and more.
Humans are not perfect, but when we err on the road, the consequences can be life-threatening. Eliminating human error is one of the main motives for creating self-driving semi-trucks.
The sensors used in autonomous driving technology can “see” farther than humans can, according to an article by AP News. Computers will never be impaired by alcohol or drug use. They don’t get tired, which eliminates one of the main roadway killers.
Driverless semi-trucks would also be more time-efficient, advocates say. Because they won’t be operated by humans, they will never have to pause for sleep. In a world that demands speed and urgency, goods could, in theory, be delivered more quickly than ever before.
Lastly, by removing people from the equation, these companies can also eliminate uncertainties caused by emotion. Road rage incidents are becoming more frequent, and computer systems don’t experience anger, greed or retaliation.
These are the benefits reported by companies pursuing driverless tech. But there are plenty of risks.
What could go wrong?
People have been trying to perfect self-driving technology in large trucks for several years. So far, no one has been able to do it. Companies try and try and either run out of funding or find the task impossible.
Right now, there is little federal regulation regarding autonomous vehicles. Organizations like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration do not decide when the self-driving trucks are ready to hit the roads — the companies creating them do.
It is up to the creators of these vehicles to make sure they are safe before using them. Federal organizations can, however, order recalls or send trucks out of service if things go badly.
And although these systems may eliminate human error, computers make mistakes. They crash, miscalculate and are vulnerable to hacking. These are necessary considerations for manufacturers to make.
What we’ve learned from other autonomous vehicles
Despite companies like Tesla promoting self-driving technology, most people still aren’t entirely comfortable with the idea. Here are some takeaways from a Forbes Advisor survey of 2,000 Americans earlier this year:
- 93% of people surveyed expressed concern over the safety of self-driving vehicles.
- 61% of people said they wouldn’t feel comfortable with their loved ones using self-driving vehicles.
- 62% lost confidence in self-driving vehicles from Tesla due to recalls and malfunctions.
Tesla has been the face of self-driving automobiles, for better or worse. Unfortunately, the claim that these systems prevent collisions isn’t quite accurate. Per million miles driven, driverless vehicles had 9.1 collisions, whereas traditional vehicles had only 4.2, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The near future of self-driving semi-trucks
The companies experimenting with self-driving technology and sharing hope for its future in trucks include:
- Kodiak Robotics
- Daimler Truck
- Aurora Innovation
Kodiak Robotics is partnering with Atlas Energy Solutions in Texas to haul loads using driverless semi-trucks. Kodiak supplies the technology using Atlas trucks. The 21-mile route used by the autonomous trucks is made of private roads with low-speed limits, which sources say makes it an ideal area to implement some of the country’s first driverless trucks.
Daimler Truck, which is a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, is preparing to have fully driverless trucks in use by 2027. The company demonstrated the model using an electric truck with a sensor bar over the windshield. Daimler representatives said they are taking it slowly to create a safe, balanced vehicle.
Most ambitious is Aurora Innovation, which plans to run trucks without humans by the end of this year. This company also chose Texas as the site for its initial runs, saying it hopes to have 20 driverless trucks on I-45 between Dallas and Houston.
Aurora has been using its technology with human operators in trucks for the past three years. These trucks were involved in three crashes but were not at fault for any of them, an article says.
As the day of large trucks with empty cabs inches closer, many folks remain worried about safety. They might feel more comfortable if self-driving vehicles were monitored the same as others. The Teamsters union has called for the government to oversee autonomous vehicles by enforcing testing protocols, requiring human operators at all times, and ensuring that truck drivers will not lose their jobs if autonomous vehicles become mainstream.
David W. Craig sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.
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