While the U.S. trucking industry struggles to fill tens of thousands of empty driver seats, some companies are betting the answer won’t come from hiring more humans. Critics argue the “shortage” is really caused by low pay and poor conditions.
In July, Aurora Innovation announced it began running driverless trucks at night — a move the company says could more than double utilization and cut delivery times in half on some routes.
The company’s new Phoenix terminal is now handling autonomous runs along its Fort Worth–El Paso–Phoenix lane. It’s part of a network that has already logged more than 20,000 driverless miles since spring. Aurora says its proprietary lidar system allows trucks to detect hazards in low light far earlier than human drivers. The tech reportedly addresses fatigue and visibility issues, which contribute to more than one-third of fatal nighttime truck crashes.
How big is the driver gap?
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) estimates the current shortfall at about 60,000 drivers, warning it could grow to 82,000 by year’s end. If current trends continue, the gap could top 162,000 by 2030…