t Will Be A “Long-Haul” Before Automated 18-Wheelers Are Road Ready

Self-driving vehicles are coming at some point, helped along with 5G and AI technology. Unions representing the trucking industry cite studies showing that autonomous 18-wheelers could eliminate up to 50,000 jobs, reported Fortune. Conversely, supporters of automated trucking technology claim it’s a remedy for growing shipping demands, greater safety on the road, and overall efficiency.

Unions believe automation means a negative impact on the job market, but experts say truck drivers won't be put out of work by robots. According to Fortune, human drivers will still need to be behind the wheel in cities and urban environments. What will change are the types of industry jobs available to workers. 

Advocates say if the tech is “good enough,” it could mean trucks will operate 24/7 as they criss-cross the country. Today, regulations limit human truck drivers to eight hours of work before taking a break and a maximum of 11 hours of daily drive time. 

Recruiting long-haul truckers has become increasingly difficult in recent years due to the "high-stress nature of the job, hours away from home, and safety hazards," notes the author. In 2021, there were 80,000 fewer drivers than would ideally be available to meet demand, according to the American Trucking Associations. Continue Reading