Center for Transformative Infrastructure Preservation and Sustainability

Research Reports
Report Details

Title:
The Effects of Autonomous Vehicles on Safety and Safety Culture in Freight Operations
Authors:
University:
Publication Date:
Jul 2026
Report #:
MPC-25-577
Project #:

Abstract

The present study examines the impact of autonomous vehicles (AV), driverless vehicles (DVs), and other on-board safety technology (OBST) on safety and safety culture in an operational environment. Data were gathered utilizing survey and interview methodologies to gather qualitative data from survey responses, focus groups, and interviews with employees and stakeholders from trucking companies, truck operators, and freight yard and dock workers. The research identified perceptions of the impact of technology as well as the relationship between utilization of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, OBST, safety culture, and safety performance. An analysis of the relationship between perceptions of AV/DV and OBST and indicators of safety culture was performed. Results of analyses revealed a non-significant relationship between perceptions of technology and indicators of safety culture. Reports of safety violations, accidents, and numbers of traffic citations were not correlated with indicators of safety culture as measured by indices from the Safety Culture Survey (Sherry, 2018). Results show that a positive view of technology was also not significantly related to safe behaviors or overall indicators of safety culture. Drivers who perceived on-board technology (OBT) as positively contributing to improving safety were more likely to report concerns over eventual decreases in job availability. Additional findings regarding the perceived impact of AVs and DVs on the employment of commercial vehicle operators and resistance to automated technology were discussed and recommendations based on lessons learned were offered. Recommendations for the introduction and implementation of autonomous technologies into transportation operations are presented.

How to Cite

Sherry, Patrick, and Keith Ratner. The Effects of Autonomous Vehicles on Safety and Safety Culture in Freight Operations, MPC-25-577. North Dakota State University - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, Fargo: Mountain-Plains Consortium, 2026.