Workforce Impacts of Autonomous Trucks

This report outlines the potential impacts of autonomous trucks on the trucking workforce. It discusses the expected growth in truck tonnage and revenue, predicting an increase in demand for truck drivers through 2033, with over 240,000 jobs becoming available each year. The report highlights the challenges faced by the industry, including high driver turnover rates and an impending driver shortage projected to reach 160,000 by 2030. It also addresses the difficulties of life on the road for drivers, such as irregular schedules and limited access to healthy food. The report emphasizes that, despite the rise of autonomous vehicles, there will still be a need for human drivers, particularly for local route deliveries, which could improve work-life balance. Additionally, it presents new job opportunities created by autonomous trucking and mentions workforce development initiatives aimed at preparing the future workforce for these changes. The collaborative efforts of industry, government, and workforce are essential for optimizing the ecosystem for both autonomous and human drivers.