Safety

WASHINGTON — As autonomous technology evolves, drivers will remain integral to the movement of goods and services for the foreseeable future, top trucking executives told senators concerned about potential disruptions in the labor force.

A U.S. Senate committee is considering whether legislation dealing with the future of self-driving cars should also pave the way to self-driving trucks, considering the impact such technology could have on millions of workers.

Tesla Inc.’s design of its Autopilot system contributed to a 2016 fatal crash in Florida, accident investigators concluded as they recommended all automakers prevent autonomous driving systems from being used on roads for which they are not designed.

While a recent public meeting hosted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gave motor carriers a chance to vent on a possible plan that could modify the way the agency assesses the safety of the nation’s truckers, the meeting seemed to leave some of them uneasy over what the plan could portend for the future.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Sept. 12 unveiled updated federal guidance for automated driving systems for industry and states that want to deploy self-driving vehicles.

The top driver at this year’s National Truck Driving Championships will be honored at the Management Conference & Exhibition hosted by American Trucking Associations in October.

The Trump administration will alter the course set by the Obama administration on autonomous vehicle policy after industry raised concerns about elements of that initial proposal.

Super smart robot trucks capable of communicating with other robot trucks while they haul freight along highways, without a driver, is no longer science fiction.

Senate negotiators released draft legislation meant to spur the introduction of self-driving vehicles, while indicating they were undecided if their measure would encompass trucks and buses.