Slashing transport emissions and automating the driving process may seem unrelated, but real-world operations by autonomous trucking firm Locomation have seen GHG emissions reduced by 22%.
That’s according to Cetin Mericli, CEO and co-founder of the company, which has trucks on the road in the U.S. Speaking at ACT Expo, Mericli said other benefits of autonomous trucking include improved safety and efficiency. The convoy system includes two trucks. The lead truck has a driver behind the wheel and leaves a trail of virtual breadcrumbs, so to speak, which the second truck follows while its driver rests in the sleeper.
Mericli said “The outcome is unmatched,” noting the Locomation autonomous system doubles capacity for fleets while increasing driver home time by 500%, improving equipment utilization by 130% and allowing 22 hours of continuous operation per day.