AUSTIN, Texas — TxDOT is partnering with a company to launch a program designed to improve self-driving trucks on Texas roadways.
The technology will focus on a 21-mile stretch of State Highway 130 from Georgetown to Del Valle.
By next year, special poles will be set up. It’s part of a project TxDOT and startup Cavnue are working on called the "smart freight corridor."
"This infrastructure include cameras, radar, other communication, hardware, as well as machine learning, as this is where we can use AI to our benefit. This digital infrastructure will eventually accommodate with self-driving freight vehicles and can benefit all users of the roadway," said TxDOT spokesperson Brad Wheelis.
Cavnue will set up the technology along a 21-mile stretch of the road in Central Texas. It will have a focus on trucks.
"Let's bring in partners from industry who are building advanced vehicles to work on this project and showcase how we can improve the safety and efficiency of roadways through technology," said Cavnue CEO Tyler Duvall.
The technology can monitor road speeds, hazards and other road conditions. TxDOT said it will use this data to focus on ways to improve safety on the roads. There could be more driverless trucks in the future.
"We know the trucking industry is interested in self-driving infrastructure trucks, so TxDOT wants to be on the forefront of this technology," said Wheelis.
Truck driver of 22 years Abel Cisneros said he will keep an eye on driverless trucks.
"I think a lot companies might take advantage of it and might put us in a position we might have to find another job or different type of job," said Cisneros.
As for the "smart freight corridor," the technology is expected to be set up by mid-2024.