Will automation take over trucking?

Truck drivers may be replaced by automated technology as early as 2027. According to the researchers, artificial intelligence could be maneuvering trucks on the road within the next decade. According to the Los Angeles Times, 1.7 million American truckers could be replaced by self-driving trucks over the next decade.

How will self-driving trucks affect the economy?

Morgan Stanley estimated that the freight industry would save $168 billion annually with the use of autonomous technology. This would assume, then, that autonomous trucking should cause the freight industry to skyrocket in net revenue. It is estimated that $70 billion of this would come from reducing labor costs.

Why are trucks automated?

The advantage of autonomous technology in trucks rather than cars is that trucks travel on fixed routes, generally on major highways, rather than through city traffic. Driving for miles on a highway is easier than navigating in cities.

What are some potential disadvantages of self-driving trucks?

Here are some of the cons or disadvantages of using an autonomous truck for your delivery:

• Loss of driver jobs.
• Security concerns.
• More accidents.
• Unregulated industry.
• Computer malfunctions.
• Expensive.
• Licensing infrastructure not yet in working phase.
• Privacy concerns.

How many trucking jobs are lost to automation?

It theorizes that long-haul truckers, particularly in the for-hire segment, would be most impacted by Level 4 or higher automation, and this could cover 300,000 to 500,000 long-haul truckers.

How will self-driving trucks impact society?

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to impact society significantly in the coming years. On the positive end, the number of vehicle crashes could be reduced, and travel time can be used more effectively which could result in an annual societal benefit of more than $750 billion in the US alone.

What is the future of the trucking industry?

As reported by Redwood Logistics, trucks carry about 70\% of all goods shipped in the U.S., and this is expected to grow by 3.4\% annually until at least 2023. This heightened demand, coupled with fewer young people choosing truck driving as a career, has caused a shortage of 51,000 truck driving jobs across the country.