Self-Driving Tractor-Trailer? Slow Down!

written by tariq

Cincinnati – Circa February 2019: USPS Post Office Mail Truck. The USPS is Responsible for Providing Mail Delivery 

Over the past few years, a number of different companies have been testing out self driving vehicles. I do believe that they do serve a great purpose, especially for those that maybe under the influence, sleepy, or distracted with cell phones. Or maybe just don’t know how to drive, licenses or not. And let’s not forget the occasional summer family trip; like my 20 hour plus drive to Florida every other year.

According to a USA Today article, the U.S. Postal Service is testing its first long-haul self-driving delivery truck in a two-week pilot program that will use an autonomous tractor-trailer to deliver mail between distribution centers in Phoenix and Dallas.

Although this would be a great service to make sure that mail and packages are delivered from point A to point B, it also serves as a threat to those who are currently employed and plan to retire doing it.

Which leads to the question, where do the self driving delivery vehicles fit now? I would say for sick days and seasonal, but those jobs are usually reserved for future truck drivers that are looking for more full-time work. How would they be able to handle weather conditions and cyber attack, and the most important question, if people lose their jobs due to self driving car or truck, what are they gonna do for work?

I love computers doing more work and definitely dangerous work. But I also have a concern about them doing all the work. May I propose a compromise, self driving vehicles and trucks deliver, only when able body drivers have family emergencies, sick or have or/need vacation time. But no matter what, you can’t put technology back in the bottle.