California approves testing of driverless semi-trucks despite union pushback
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The California Department of Motor Vehicles has approved testing of heavy-duty autonomous vehicles, including semi-trucks, on the state's roads.
William Hall, owner of Coyote Container at the Port of Oakland, supports the move.
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"I believe in technology providing more jobs for all of us, so I think it's a good thing with trucking," Hall said. "You ask any trucking company what their biggest problem is, it's usually the drivers. It's finding drivers, it's keeping drivers and it's keeping them safe and keeping them out of accidents. Those things are all, with automated trucks and driverless trucks, are easier to deal with."
Teamsters California criticized the decision in a statement.
"Make no mistake: this is just the beginning of Teamsters California's fight for good jobs and safety on our roads," the statement said. "The DMV's decision to rush forward with driverless heavy-duty trucks is reckless, and we will use every tool necessary to stop it - including taking this fight to the courts."
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Aurora, a Silicon Valley-based company, has been testing self-driving trucks in Texas since last year.
On Thursday, a leading carrier announced plans to own 500 of the company's trucks. A report commissioned by Aurora projects 170,000 self-driving trucks could be on U.S. roads by 2035, representing 15% of the trucking market.
"We are encouraged to see a regulatory path being established for autonomous freight in California and look forward to working with lawmakers on the safe deployment of autonomous trucking across the state," said Sydnee Journel, senior manager of government relations at Aurora.
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UC Berkeley Professor Scott Moura, acting director of the university's Institute of Transportation Studies, said autonomous trucks could operate around the clock because they do not require rest like human drivers.
"Clearly, though, there's drawbacks right," Moura said. "These are often well-paying jobs by skilled labor."
