Self-Driving Semi-Trucks: The Implementation of Autonomous Technology

Abstract

The central idea for this thesis is to explore the possibility of investing in autonomous technology for semi-trucks. With this technology improving every day, it is worth studying to see if this decision is efficient. The experience from working on the data analytics team for a trucking company and from a class about smart driving vehicles prompted the question, what if driverless technology was implemented into semi-trucks? However, not only will it be important to test the feasibility, but to see if it even worth it? This paper aims to solve those questions, along with inform the reader about this autonomous technology that exists today. The trucking company being used in the data exploration has chosen to remain anonymous, and for that reason, they will be referred to as Company X throughout the paper. This paper will be focusing on their accident data, which is why they want to be anonymous. Also, it is important to note that the company is quality self-insured, meaning that all of their accident costs come out of pocket. Aside from the assistance of Company X, a lot of the information provided in this paper will come from experts within the field, such as Professor Alain Kornhauser, and recent articles about the technology. Right now, this technology is very popular among the media because of the progressive steps being taken in order to get these driverless vehicles on the roads. By analyzing the types of accidents and figuring out how much they cost the company, a plan will be made on how new investments should be made into in order to help the company transition to driverless trucks. Their trucking fleet will not instantly change from drivers to driverless, it will need to take a long run approach.