The trucking industry came away with big policy wins in the highway bill that advanced out of the House Transportation Committee in May, including a provision that would create a first-of-its-kind federal safety standard for autonomous trucking.
While big players in the trucking industry hailed the autonomous vehicle language as “significant,” an advocate for smaller operators worried that the change would allow manufacturers to self-certify. Similar to self-driving vehicles for passengers, the autonomous trucking industry operates under a patchwork of state laws.
“We don’t really trust the AV manufacturers, and I don’t think the American people should either,” said Collin Long, senior director of government affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, a group that advocates for independent truckers and smaller companies.
In addition to the autonomous truck provision, the surface bill establishes a contentious pilot program allowing states to significantly increase truck weights, provides $750 million to expand trucker parking and requires pick-up and drop-off locations to give truckers access to a restroom.
