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Autonomous Trucking Conference Set for October 16-17 in Bismarck

Posted: Jul 11, 2024

The benefits of autonomous trucking to the state and the challenges faced in implementing the technology will be key topics of the North Dakota Autonomous Trucking Conference to be held in Bismarck, October 16-17.

The event, being planned and hosted by the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) at North Dakota State University, will bring together stakeholders from the trucking and autonomous vehicle industries, technical experts, highway safety specialists, enforcement personnel, regulator agency staff, local and Tribal government staff, and researchers to engage in dialog, exchange ideas, and identify common interests and concerns. To register for the conference or to learn more, go to: www.ugpti.org/events/atc2024/.

"It is clear that autonomous trucking will be implemented across the country," noted UGPTI Director Denver Tolliver. "Our goal is to bring all of these stakeholders together to discuss how we employ this technology in North Dakota in a way that enhances our economy, addresses workforce issues, and improves safety."

Key topics to be addressed at the conference may include:

• Critical rural road safety issues that can be mitigated by autonomous trucks
• Market potential for autonomous trucks in North Dakota and the region
• Willingness of trucking companies to invest in and use autonomous vehicles
• Key labor shortages that can be addressed by autonomous trucking
• Preparedness of state and local agencies to enforce traffic safety and adjust planning priorities to facilitate autonomous trucking
• Acceptance of autonomous trucks by the driving public

The event is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The conference is part of a two-year project to explore various deployment options, routes, and practices and to quantify the safety, regulatory, energy, environmental, and economic impacts of autonomous trucking in the region.