Ranking Opportunities for Autonomous Trucks Using Data Mining and GIS

Abstract

The inefficiency of transporting goods contributes to reduced economic growth and environmental sustainability in a country. Autonomous trucks (ATs) are emerging as a solution, but the imbalance in the weight moved and ton-miles produced by long-haul and short-haul trucking creates a challenge in targeting initial deployments. This study offers a unique solution by presenting a robust method that combines data mining and geographic information systems (GISs) to identify the optimal routes for ATs based on a top-down approach to maximize business benefits. Demonstrated in a U.S. case study, this method revealed that despite accounting for only 16% of the weight moved, long-haul trucking produced 56% of the ton-miles, implying a high potential for ATs in this segment. The method identified eight key freight zones in five U.S. states that accounted for 27% of the long-haul weight and suggested optimal routes for initial AT deployment. Interstate 45 emerged as a pivotal route in the shortest paths among these freight zones. This suggests that stakeholders should seek to prioritize funding for infrastructure upgrades and maintenance along that route and the other routes identified. The findings will potentially benefit a broad range of stakeholders. Companies can strategically focus resources to achieve maximum market share, regulators can streamline policymaking to facilitate AT adoption while ensuring public safety, and transportation agencies can better plan infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. Users globally can apply the methodological framework as a reliable tool for decision-making about where to initially deploy ATs.