Trucking news and brief for Friday, Oct. 30, 2020:
Autonomous firm Locomation completes on-road pilot program
Autonomous trucking tech firm Locomation recently completed an on-road pilot program that showcased autonomous trucking technology for the SmartBelt Coalition, a collaboration of transportation agencies in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Over the course of one week, two Locomation trucks performed three separate interstate routes under close observation from the involved organizations. One route started at the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and delivered food donations to families in need in Toledo, Ohio.
Locomation’s Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) platform allows one driver to pilot a lead truck equipped with technology augmentation while a follower truck operates in tandem through Locomation’s fully autonomous system.
Section of Loop 101 in Phoenix closed this weekend
A section of Loop 101 near I-17 in Phoenix, Arizona, will be closed this weekend for a construction project to add new lanes along the freeway.
The Arizona DOT will closed Eastbound Loop 101 between I-17 and Seventh Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, through 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Eastbound Loop 101 ramps to I-17 will remain open.
Additionally, northbound and southbound I-17 ramps to Loop 101 will be closed during the same time period.
Finally, the northbound I-17 ramps to eastbound and westbound Loop 101 are scheduled to be closed overnight from 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
TuSimple joins autonomous trucking initiative in Fort Worth
Self-driving truck technology company TuSimple has secured property in AllianceTexas’ Mobility Innovation Zone in north Fort Worth, allowing the company to add new autonomous trucking operations within the “Texas Triangle” between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin.
TuSimple currently ships freight for customers using autonomous trucks, moving from Arizona to Texas, and this new facility will enable the self-driving technology company to add new shipping lanes in 2021.
Construction on the new project is expected to begin in November, with an expected completion by March 2021. The new facility will house autonomous truck operations, service and administrative support. The building will feature technology service bays, in addition to general office space.
The new facility will be the first urban logistics center in Texas for TuSimple. Its existing Texas location provides dedicated support to UPS.
