Transport Topics (April 22, 2022)
One of the major concerns that many people in the trucking industry have about autonomous trucks is the expectation that their use would lead to drivers losing their jobs. But Daimler Truck CEO Martin Daum doesn’t believe that will be the case. Daum says autonomous trucks will improve highway safety, counter the trucking industry’s driver shortage, boost equipment utilization and help meet rising freight demand. Daum says Daimler is focusing its efforts on certain stretches of highway that are best suited to autonomous operation, and that only about 6% of freight might move by autonomous trucks. “That means 94% of the freight still needs drivers to be delivered,” he said, adding that freight volumes likely will have expanded faster than autonomous truck deployment, meaning the industry will continue to need more drivers, not fewer.