Aurora Innovation, Inc. – an autonomous drive tech specialist – has highlighted findings from a new report that concludes autonomous freight is already a multi-billion dollar bolster for the $1 trillion dollar US trucking industry, with even more economic opportunity over the next ten years.
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The analysis, commissioned by Aurora and conducted by the Steer Group, highlights that autonomous trucking, despite being in early stages of deployment, currently supports 17,000 jobs and $3.3 billion in total economic output in the US.
The report projects that by 2035, the US autonomous trucking sector alone is projected to account for $70 billion of US GDP, representing a highly efficient growth engine for the long-haul highway segment. This transition – according to the study – will generate $9.4 billion in annual safety benefits and result in $9 billion in increased purchasing power for American households through lower transportation costs.
“We believe that autonomous trucking can be a massive engine for the American economy and fortify the national transportation industry,” said Chris Urmson, co-founder and CEO of Aurora.
“This report supports our conclusion that technology, like the Aurora Driver, can make our roads safer, our supply chain more resilient, and our operations more efficient than ever before.”
Supply-chain benefits
With a national driver deficit projected to reach 1.2 million over the next decade, autonomous technology acts as a ‘vital safeguard against shipping bottlenecks’, Aurora maintains. By potentially more than doubling fleet utilisation – the amount of time a truck is actively moving goods – it facilitates a 24/7 ‘always-on’ supply chain, ensuring long-term resilience and efficiency. The technology also has the potential to slash fuel waste by up to 32% and save shippers $5.7 billion on fuel costs. Under an accelerated deployment scenario, these gains are expected to benefit consumers, resulting in $9 billion in annual purchasing power for American households by 2035.
Safety benefits
The report estimates that in 2035, self-driving technology, like the Aurora Driver, could prevent up to 490 fatalities, 8,800 injuries, and 23,000 crashes per year. Measured against US DOT standards, Aurora claims this equates to $9.4 billion in annual safety benefits. Improved road safety is projected to lead to a 40% reduction in insurance premiums, significantly lowering the cost of doing business across the freight sector, also.
