There is much controversy over whether autonomous vehicles would be beneficial to our society, or whether they would cause more harm. However, when it comes to the possibility of self-driving trucks, there is even more to consider. Autonomous vehicles could lead to safer roads, with fewer accidents stemming from driver-error. This could be a great benefit to the typical driver who uses their vehicle to get from point A to point B, but what about the trucker who earns a living by safely delivering cargo from here to there?
According to the American Trucker Association, 3.5 million Americans are professional truck drivers. Add in at least 5 million more who work in other areas of the trucking industry, and you now have well over 8 million Americans employed by the trucking industry. The attached picture shows which jobs are most common in each state. As you can see, truck drivers make up a bulk of over half the states. That's a lot of people who could be greatly affected by influx of autonomous trucks. Furthermore, many businesses are founded around truckers – from truck stops to diners along the highway. There is no doubt that self-driving trucks would decrease the need for such vendors, as computers don't need breaks to eat, shower, or sleep.
With so many possible changes, will keep you updated on the technological advances and transportation laws that will influence this industry. In the meantime, take a few minutes to learn about the vehicles in question by visiting the source below.
Source: Medium.com
Photo Credit: https://medium.com/basic-income/self-driving-trucks-are-going-to-hit-us-like-a-human-driven-truck-b8507d9c5961
