Vehicle automation can reduce the risk of crashes from driver factors, such as fatigue, impairment, distraction, or aggression, which are the cause of or contribute to over 90 percent of all vehicle crashes [1]. Common reasons for single vehicle truck crashes include driving too fast for conditions or curves, falling asleep at the wheel, and vehicle component failures or cargo shifts [2]. For lower levels of vehicle automation, systems that include speed advisories, automatic speed adjustments, driver alertness monitoring, and safe stop ability in the event a driver becomes non-responsive could improve safety [2]. Potential negative safety effects of partial-automation systems like adaptive cruise control include a false sense of security and inattentive drivers [3].

Higher levels (Levels 4 & 5) of heavy-duty vehicle automation have potential to improve safety more dramatically by eliminating human error [3]. However, the technology is still advancing for heavy duty vehicles, and additional safety testing is needed before Level 4 freight trucks are commercially deployed at-scale [3], [4]. Vehicle platooning where trucks travel in a group and the vehicles in the center do not all require drivers is a potential intermediary step towards fully driverless vehicles [3].

Additional research is needed to understand how vehicle platooning, higher levels of vehicle automation (Levels 4 and 5), vehicle designs and weights, and types of heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., buses and specialized equipment) will impact safety and vehicle crash rates.