Page 79 - Linkline Yearbook 2017

of governments committing to CO2 emission reduction targets and many EU states calling for tougher fuel efficiency windows.
Another key benefit of the self-driving vehicles technology would be the potential to solve one of the major issues of the transportation industry; the truck driver shortage that has been observed in several parts of the world, such as the UK, the US and Ireland. For the Irish Logistics and Road Freight Transport industry the lack of HGV drivers is anticipated to
be a major problem as forecast by the Expert Group of Future Skills Need. However, studies predict that the implementation of self-driving vehicles would help mitigate this problem,
and would also help reduce the labour costs of the sectors, as there would be significant reduction in man hours.
Hauliers can experience economic benefits associated with the utilisation of self-driving vehicles on a 24/7 basis, all year long. That is because these vehicles do not come with the human trappings of days off, holidays, lateness, distraction, tiredness, wages, overtime, training, strikes, compensation, severance, contracts, bonuses, maternity leave, and pensions. A self-driving vehicle’s only cost is the cost of the energy
it uses. These economic advantages can lead to the rapid adoption of autonomous trucks. However, there is a need for these vehicles to drive hundreds of millions of miles and to demonstrate avoidance of safety-critical situations and reduction in the amount of accidents before people can be convinced that they are safe.
Figure 2 summarises the top issues that can be addressed by the implementation of self-driving cars in the freight transport
transport systems can result in shorter manufacturing
lead times, and faster information and material flows, which in turn can positively affect the performance and competiveness of manufacturers and result in better supply chain scheduling and decision making.
Self-driving vehicles could also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. Beyond quicker delivery times, the environmentally friendly aspect of these vehicles is one of the strongest arguments for their implementation.
Implementation barriers
Even though this technology has the potential to yield many benefits, as discussed in the sections above, there are still some factors that could hinder its mass implementation for a long time to come.
The first group of such barriers is associated with the high cost of automation. In particular, the cost of the light detection
and ranging (LIDAR) systems, which are used on existing automated vehicles, can vary from €28,000 to €80,000.
Further costs can accrue from the requirements of these vehicles for additional sensors, software, engineering, service and maintenance, as well as added power and computing requirements. Furthermore, it is fair to speculate that additional initial costs will accrue for manufacturers, retailers and 3PLs in order to restructure infrastructure and train staff to receive and load/unload such vehicles in their premises.
Another group of implementation barriers is associated with litigation, liability and perception issues. Currently, Daimler
industry.
Most of the top trucking industry issues can be addressed by automated trucks – Benefits expected also for wider society
Top industry issues addressed by automated trucks
SFouirgce:uATrReI, R2o:laTndoBpergeirssues addressed by self-driving vehicles, source: Ber2g01e6r-04(-025-0CH1I-6RB,I-pAu.to4ma)ted Truck Study_Short Version.pptx 4
Fleet owner impact
Autonomous technology compensates for driver's lack of attention
Mileage improvements through better aerodynamics
Optimized resting times for driver of trailing vehicle
Hours-of-service Driver distraction
Fuel costs
Smaller distance between trucks reduces road area used
Emission reduction Accident mitigation
90% of truck accidents caused by human error
Safety
Driver shortage
Changed driver role might attract younger drivers
Reduced driving stress and fewer monotonous time periods
Congestion reduction
Society impact
Congestion
Driver retention Driver wellness
More rested drivers and reduced sleepiness
Safer roads
Impact on society and other supply chain
members
A societal benefit associated with the use of self-driving vehicles in the freight transport sector is the potential
for the reduction of road accidents. In 2012, in the US, approximately 4,000 people died in road accidents that involved HGVs. Other statistics demonstrate that 90% of those road accidents were caused by human errors, which are usually associated with driver’s fatigue.
The anticipated reduction in vehicle crashes and the reduced congestion on the roads could result in fewer delays, which in turn could result in higher reliability of the transport system and enhanced vehicle efficiencies. More reliable
Truck North America have unveiled the Freightliner Inspiration Truck, which is the first licensed autonomous commercial truck to operate on an open public highway in the United States. This truck can be classified as Level 3 on the vehicle automation continuum (See Figure 1). However, if this prototype is to
be developed as a Level 4 vehicle, several legislation issues will have to be taken into consideration. For example, the state of California, in an effort to tighten the regulations on autonomous vehicles, proposed that every self-driving vehicle must have a human co-pilot on board at all times.
Furthermore, there is an argument that regardless of how safe self-driving vehicles will eventually become, they will initially be perceived as unsafe, mainly because of the lack of a human driver. The battle between the 360o degrees sensing of the AV
The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT 79
SELF-DRIVING FREIGHT