UK road network ‘not yet ready for driverless trucks’

The UK road network is not yet ready for the widespread introduction of driverless technology for haulage vehicles. This is the view of Rod McKenzie, director of marketing, communications and public affairs at the Road Haulage Association (RHA), who has expressed the view that key details still need to be worked out before driverless trucks become a common fixture of British roads. Speaking to Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live's breakfast show, Mr McKenzie said the RHA is holding ongoing discussions with truck manufacturers and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to keep abreast of all the latest developments in automated vehicular technology, in order to assess its feasibility and safety. So-called "driverless trucks" are not in fact completely driverless, with the principle working similarly to the autopilot function on a commercial aeroplane. Generally, an approach known as platooning – in which a line of trucks forms a convoy, with the lead vehicle controlling the rest of the trucks in a line behind it – is employed. According to Mr McKenzie, the key problem is the number of exit and entry points on British roads, which could lead to queues for vehicles trying to join and leave the motorway, resulting in additional congestion. More seriously, there remains scope for the autopilot facility on such vehicles to malfunction, creating safety issues that could cancel out the advantages that such technology is supposed to offer in terms of removing the margin for human errors and mistakes. Mr McKenzie said: "The haulage industry is increasingly IT-led and we embrace technology – but not at the expense of safety or practicality. The experts have it all to prove, as far as we are concerned. All road users – not just transport operators – have to be OK with this." Ben Robb, brand manager at The Fuelcard People, adds: "While we're as excited as anyone to usher in the future of road travel, Mr McKenzie is quite correct: ultimately, the safety of all road users needs to remain the highest priority."