The public response to the widespread exploration of autonomous vehicles technologies has, so far, been mixed. So much so, in fact, that a recent AAA report suggested 71% of their survey respondents said they did not trust driverless cars – and that percentage was actually up eight points from the year prior.
It’s possible that society at large will become more comfortable with the idea of driverless anything when the technology matures to the point where it’s visible within our everyday lives. And there’s nothing more everyday than the Postal Service.
The agency recently announced plans to embark on a two-week pilot program to test driverless mail delivery. The USPS will join forces with self-driving truck maker TuSimple with the plan to complete five 1,000-mile round trips between the Postal Service’s distribution centers in Phoenix and Dallas.
As with most existing test runs, the vehicles will come equipped with human monitors to ensure safety and take over in the event of any problems.
The USPS says driverless trucks are perfect for this 22-hour run because they can allow for overnight driving. The agency admits that driver shortages are, in part, impacting this pursuit, as overnight requirements can deter candidates from an already-tight labor field. The USPS is also said to be assessing the program for its ability to increase truck utilization, improve safety, and reduce fuel costs.