The American Trucking Association is leading the charge for autonomous trucks in the United States. This week the ATA published policies that it hopes will help nurture the automated vehicle technologies that “have the potential to dramatically impact nearly all aspects of the trucking industry.”
Titled “Automated Truck Policy,” the document lays out a list of the ATA’s proposed policies for itself, the trucking industry as a whole, and both state and federal governments.
“ATA continues its commitment to safety as a top priority for the trucking industry,” states the document, and indeed Safety is the very first policy category addressed. The document primarily concerns itself however with regulations surrounding autonomous driving technologies.
The ATA for example states that “Federal and State laws and regulations should neither require, nor limit differing levels of automation.”
They also argue against allowing states to create their own regulations, saying that “The regulation of performance and technical specifications of automated and connected truck technology should be solely the responsibility of the Federal government.”
You can view the ATA’s full Automated Truck Policy document here.
Source: truckinginfo, fleetowner, ATA
Clay says
I guess I better start looking for a new career!
Robert Walters says
So the ATA wants to put thousands of drivers out of work, that makes sense not; you can’t replace people with machines,they fail all the time; and are pron to hacking and viruses!! Bad idea all around
Greg says
I woukd just like to know if any of these people pushing for autonomous trucks use electronics. How in God’s name could you want this? Christ, we can’t even get reliable internet service in this country. This is so dangerous. Where is Sarah Connor when you need her to come wack these fools.
Jeremy Tribble says
One article I read, true or not, idk. It said that in the next 10 years close to 3 million truck drivers will have lost their jobs/careers because of this crap. It actually gave some suggestions for new career choices, one being a mid wife. WTF? Driving a truck to being a mid wife…..just shot me
zee says
it’s not the SAFETY word again(dirtiest six letter word on the planet)
that the ATA is after. That is so cliched.
Profit margin and absolute control drive this industry.
The present generations of drivers are brainwashed into believing
that they need a device to control them. This is a broad spectrum
concern that kindergarten-12th grade teachers/scientists/behavioral
specialists are seeing in schools.
Many states are wiring the highways with fiber optics/wireless sensors to control ALL the traffic movement with sensors onboard
the vehicles to do so.
Colorado CDOT is contracted with Panasonic of Japan to do so.
The build out will coincide with brain washing the general public
to accept the technology. Colorado expects to Quadruple traffic on it’s highways with this technology. Platooning of trucks and cars will be a
part of that.
Robotic/driver-less trucks are a natural progression of that process.
Better to invest in the build out of that technology than sit on the corner without a job and a cardboard sign in hand.
Profit and control are KING!
Debra Schrock says
ATA should keep its initials though change its name to anti- trucking association. Of course I will be dead and gone before they get this one figured out. If they would wake up they would realize there are already autonomous trucks. They are called “trains”….oops, they need drivers too.
zee says
No. The push is also to remove engineers and crew from the trains.
I see remote control engineers on sidings on the ground walking around
moving freight from siding to siding, just like RC car controls, here in Colorado.
That will also become autonomous.
The 1/2 per centers will fluff their pillows and wrinkle
their 1800 thread count sheets while we as truckers starve.
Robin Cline says
Truckers yearly pay: 60k
Autonomous yearly pay: 0
Trucker saves travelers life. Priceless
Autonomous kills family.
Priceless
Heeerrrreees your sign
shogun says
A lobby group that claims its dedicated to safety but doesn’t push for minimum standards because it slows mega carriers ability to put someone with a pulse in the seat. Oh how ironic.
Robert David says
full automation on our current highway system is impossible to do it safe.
a computer cannot detect a hazard, like a pedestrian on the highway far enough in advance to avoid putting the ped in danger.
it takes too much time and space to stop 80,000 lbs and
there are too many different highway hazards.
zee says
Bendix/Subaru/Volvo,etc all perfecting the tech to do so.
Ever used OnGuard? It’s the wave. Put aside driving and invest in these types of companies. Tesla is doing the autonomous truck thing.
We, as drivers, are the dinosaurs, unwittingly waiting for the
extinction of our hapless existence and way of life.
Dinosaurs did not see the Meteor coming.
The ATA is riding the meteor.
Brian White says
I thought the ATA was all about supporting change to the trucking industry that would be a benefit to the DRIVERS.
This is just another issue that indicated the ATA’s often hidden but TRUE loyalties: the mega-carriers.
MrYowler says
What ever made you think THAT? Nothing in the ATA’s history, management, membership, or organizational makeup should lead you to believe that it represents the interests of drivers or the motoring public in any way.
From their website:
Mission & Objectives
ATA’s mission is to “effectively advocate and communicate efforts designed to improve safety and profitability for our members,” in accordance with the organization’s strategic plan and vision.
That vision is to set ATA as “the recognized leader in transportation advocacy representing the safest, most responsible and financially successful motor carriers.”
“…profitability…” “…representing … the … most … financially successful motor carriers.” They don’t even kibitz about it. It’s right there on their website. The do not represent drivers or the motoring public. They represent megacarriers.
John says
WAKE UP! ATA is all about the money
They don’t care about drivers. Their ultimate goal is 100 percent driverless vehicles and the government paying for everything. That way they can control prices and the government.
Jeremy Tribble says
Lol, one of the chairman for the ATA just so happens to be the owner of Swift. That should sum it up for you
Kevin says
No, the ATA is ONLY for the big trucking companies. They don’t give a rip about the driver’s. To them and the companies, the driver is a necessary evil!
troy says
Nothing hidden about it. Look at the board of directors and president. Usually England schnieder Hunt Swift knight.
Brent says
A human body is what is best for the trucking industry. It is because human bodies in these trucks better by far. You put ATAS on these road and highways, freeways, and state routes you will see way more accidents and fatalities rise high. It will be a Hugh mistake by putting ATAS on the roads here in the USA plus you will put more American people out of work that has a family to take care of. Use your dam heads and think about what you will end up doing to the industry and everyone that does drive truck
Rufus Crank says
Lets level the playing field! When I lose my livelihood so do the members of the ATA!
John says
No they won’t. The replace you with a computer and don’t care about you.
Scott Hayden says
Hardly. Drivers don’t pay dues to the ATA. They get their money from large companies which stand to benefit greatly from autonomous trucks.
Josh says
Pilots didn’t lose their jobs when autopilot was developed.
A truck can’t check in, do paperwork, open the doors, back into a dock, drop a trailer, hook up to an empty, send an unloaded call, check out, and then navigate city streets without taking out everything on the corner at tight turns.
troy says
Unfortunately it can do most everything you just mentioned.
zee says
they can do everything you stated except the door swing and light poles.
the door swing can be easily be automated, backing will be too.
You are a goner…dinosaurs didn’t realize the ATA METEOR was coming.
R.I.P. Truckers!
VanHorne says
“They also argue against allowing states to create their own regulations, saying that “The regulation of performance and technical specifications of automated and connected truck technology should be solely the responsibility of the Federal government.” ”
What part of this doesn’t sound like FedGov trampling States’ rights?
*AHEM*
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
“HELL-OOOOOO?”
zee says
Yet Congress has the power to regulate Transportation,via
the Commerce Clause in the Constitution.
The questions is: who is Congress listening to?
jimmy jones says
What Automated Trucks can do is keep rates low and thats the primary reason above any other reason that the ATA is pushing for them.
John says
Why would you be a member of such a corrupt Corporation I challenge any driver that’s a member to drop their membership immediately
Whattt says
I guess it will also open trailer doors and go in and see the shipping clerk and never have to take a 30 minute break either and how long will it run on a charged battery will it also known about construction sites and low bridges and detours it has to take to get to its consumers
zee says
all about the constellation of data links and GPS. All the tech is available. You , as a driver , have been beta testing it for years, along withe the 4 wheeling public.
Buckskin says
Very troubling the disconnected gov. officials we have can’t see thru all this smoke and BS that the ATA is peddling.As well as some people that I see comment on some of these sites ,Rev. JIM JONES in Gianna would of LOVED to had these folks around ,ATA seems to be mixing the ingredients for the Kool Aid
Larry Tyler says
Of course they are behind the push they are the owners of all the major carriers. It only makes sense that they are pushing the issue.
Jeff pearson says
So this just gives the attorneys more people to sue..seeing how the ATA is PUSHING for this..good maybe that will be the finsl nail in their coffin
Jim says
This will keep the cacky pants boys up to style. Keeps the high dollar boys happy. I sat across the isle from one of the ATA boys on a flight.
I was looking at his homework (Evesdropping) he was looking over nearly the whole flight from Charlotte to Jacksonville Fl.
My thoughts. It’s all about advancement of technology.
Certain members of ATA are owners of successful trucking companies.
In fact I recognized this Owner of a successful company. He is a good man.
There goal is not to make drivers successful.
There goal, to be to become millionaires.
Now there goal, to become Billionaires.
This industry will deplete drivers. Many of them. They cannot afford our low wages. Freight costs with a driver is to high. Without a driver means profits are taller.
Drivers in a sense cut there own throat. Many drivers are disrespectful. Trash there trucks.
Abandon there trucks.Trash everywhere they stop. Urinate, take number 2’s. Litter. Cannot make appointments as scheduled. Whine Whine Whine. No professionalism whatsoever.
Drive unsafe. Cell phones in hands.
Feet propped on dash going 60+ mph. Endless unsafe habbits.
Idle there trucks even when it is not necessary.
All this adds up $$$ to trucking companies. Adds up to less profits.
Who are we hauling for?
The answer: Corporations.
The small guys are being depleted.
Corporations make the Rules.
The drivers attire now. Flip flops, and shorts. There goal. To get to the next truckstop after there 8 hours and park. To shut the curtains and play on there laptop. Watch TV.
Driverless trucks. All that wasted time. Gone.
The reliable driverless freight movers will take over.
Until then. I will be called a cowboy by these whimps out on the road.
I can retire. I worked for a paycheck.
Not lottery tickets or quarter machine money.
Whine all you wish. Technology will deplete the truck driver we knew of yesterday.
Safe Travels as of today.
Bee Donner says
Well you seem to have all kinds of time to say what?? NOTHING! God Speed!
David M Bugg says
Well, this is about right…. There has never been a position that the ATA has taken on trucking issue which has made NOT made the life of a professional driver more complicated, more costly, less productive, and reducing the amount of take-home pay in his/her pocket.
Take a knee in protest of this anti-trucker organization. Trucker’s Lives Matter!!!
Bee Donner says
ATA is the truckers worse enemy!! Look at what they support, all under the disguise of “public safety”. This organization is out to destroy the drivers. Follow the money folks!
Israel Asa says
All Drivers need to Both Call and Write Congress and the Senate. Tell them that this is NOT SAFE! Also tell everyone that we know or meet to do the same. And don’t start the dumb statement about Drivers sticking together. You just do your part before this thing puts YOU OUT OF WORK! It is enough Drivers and WE CAN PUT A STOP TO IT! If we STOP ALL OF THE DUMB STUPID THINGS THAT WE CAN SAY! AND START PREACHING HOW UNSAFE THESE DRIVERLESS TRUCKS WILL BE. The Public will get on board with us and we will defeat this. REMEMBER THE FAMILY THAT WILL STARVE MAY BE YOURS IF WE DON’T!
MartyM says
The cesspool already voted this down.
william says
And who gets charged for murder after the truck runs over a family???
will the federal government and the makers of the truck be liable?
Roady304 says
Thae ATA say’s they are dedicated to safety and think that autonomous trucking is the way to the future. Is this lobbyist group putting forth this information based on the same studies that they used for ELD’s. Based on carriers of big fleets that cannot control there own company driver’s for HOS ,OOS,Health Card, Equipment, violations, etc,. Never taking into consideration shipping and/or receiving time schedules. The top carriers still have some of the worst safety records out there and yet they want to put untested, unmanned eqipment on the highway’s of this country, killing more American job’s? If they want autonomous trucks on the road, whom are the people going to blame when one of these vehicles with no operator going to turn to, ATA, the company who operate’s the vehicle, insurance companies, etc,.
zee says
dedicated only to the safety of their pocket books and bank statements.
The Corporations play on the sheep-like fear of the general motoring public. The word SAFETY is like a lightning bolt. Duck and cover.
Do not be beguiled by their trash talk.
It’s all about the money.
T.j.bell says
These people have a solution for us dirty humans. First, they create the problem, (lots of inexperienced driver’s on the congested highway). Now the solution is autonomous trucks. Just one question. Who is going to have any money to buy there crap? Wake Up people. This can only mean one thing. They want to get rid of us dirty humans!!!
les_gvt says
remind me again how the ATA is looking out for drivers and o/o’s
les_gvt says
Question for the ATA- and everyone else that loves robots- once the humans are unemployed and no longer paying taxes- how will government support itself? there will be no business left- the humans won’t have the money to purchase their products/services
zee says
it will be a continuous loop of taxing the corporation for the
robot. The low income groups( less then 500,000 dollar a year)
will bleed away from existence.
zee says
this will be a precursor to global reduction of population.
won’t need to populate Mars. That is an elitist endeavour.
Ken says
F the ATA, worthless bunch of clowns.
MartyM says
ATA is as corrupt as the people they buy down on K street. But this is just a scare tactic, so you are grateful for a no paying job. If you look at all the expense of doing something like this you would see they can’t beat the low wages they already pay.
Rob says
The ATA (ehem, Mega-Carriers et al.) is (are) solely responsible for the conundrum they created.
CAUSE:
Carriers promise the moon but deliver nothing but betrayal.
Driver’s stuck out when promised in.
Driver’s only paid HHG miles (outer city limit to limit) and nothing between which means rush hour backups = no pay.
Driver’s time is wasted by shippers and receivers and they are not compensated… layover pay is a sick joke.
Directions from dispatchers are usually wrong, wasting more time and causing more stress.
The list of deception from dispatchers is a mile long and if you’re not part of their under the table buddy system you’re not getting the miles and perks.
The corruption and uncouth behaviors are endless.
EFFECT: “Driver Shortage”, the good leave and the animals come in.
I am dumbfounded everyday at the new levels of ignorance, stupidity, and carelessness I witness from these new class of drivers they are filling trucks with.
So now truck related crashes with everything and anything are skyrocketing and YouTube is filling up with dashcam footage to prove it.
Wow! Is it any wonder they are pushing so hard for Autonomous trucks?
The ATA et al. has shot themselves in the foot and this is their answer instead of owning up to their mistakes and cleaning up the industry the right way, they’d rather pad their pockets by screwing us all the way home…less.
I can’t wait to see how they handle the 1000 percent increase in freight jacking since these trucks will undoubtedly have Collison avoidance systems that will stop them dead in their tracks.
Hey, would it be ironic if all the drivers these trucks replace end up being the ones doing it? lmao
Oliver Von Bell says
Everybody is panicking for no reason. Do you know how much an automated truck actually cost? It’s very expensive. We are many many years and trillions of dollars away from the whole country going to automation. They would have to redo the entire infrastructure to make that happen. Think about it. Colorado and Nevada does automation because it’s next to nothing in those territories, now let’s see them try to do that east of Interstate 35
Eugene Ezell says
So the ata who is supposed to support truck drivers is advocating to get rid of drivers. Hmmmmm.