Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

Event Proceedings
2025 Autonomous Trucking Conference: Evolution of Autonomous Trucking in North Dakota and the Northern Plains

Sep 15-16, 2025 – “Autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly improve our transportation ecosystem,” is how one presenter framed the future of autonomous trucking during the second Autonomous Trucking Conference (ATC) held September 15 and 16, 2025, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND. The event was hosted by the North Dakota State University’s Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute with support from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. About 100 attendees from several states came eager to learn more about this rapidly growing sector of the transportation industry.

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Presentations

TitlePresenter
Opening Remarks (Video)Denver Tolliver, Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
How Do Autonomous Trucks Work? (Video)

Additional Resources:

Alex Rudin, MITRE Corp;
Gary McCarthy, Aurora Tech
Developments in Autonomous Trucking in the United States (Video)

Additional Resources:

Richard Bishop, Bishop Consulting;
Gary McCarthy, Aurora Tech;
Kevin Siegel, Kodiak Robotics;
Bart Teeter, Bot Auto
State Perspectives on Autonomous Trucking (Video)

Additional Resources:

Amanda Abruzzo, Arizona DOT;
Eric Belford, Montana DOT;
Michael Kisse, North Dakota DOT;
Cory Johnson, Minnesota DOT
Challenges to Widespread and Year-Round Autonomous Truck Operations in Northern Regions (Video)Justin Johnson, PLUM Catalyst;
Eric Belford, Montana DOT
Enhanced Inspection Procedures for Autonomous Trucks (Video)

Additional Resources:

John Sova, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA);
Bart Teeter, Bot Auto
Interactions Between Autonomous Trucks and First Responders (Video)

Additional Resources:

Gary McCarthy, Aurora Tech;
Bart Teeter, Bot Auto
Insurance and Liability for Autonomous Vehicles (Video)Katelyn Magney-Miller, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE);
Ben Lewis, Simulytic
Applications of Autonomous Trucks in Agriculture, Energy, and Rural Industries (Video)

Additional Resources:

Maynard Factor, Kratos Defense;
Kevin Siegel, Kodiak Robotics
Engagement, Education, and Workforce Development (Video)

Additional Resources:

Katelyn Magney-Miller, PAVE;
Justin Johnson, PLUM Catalyst
Projecting the Next Decade of Autonomous Trucking (Video)Gary McCarthy, Aurora Tech;
Bart Teeter, Bot Auto;
Kevin Siegel, Kodiak Robotics;
Maynard Factor, Kratos Defense