TMC FT-PP-2022-2: Recommendations Regarding the Need to Study Potential Driver Disengagement Related to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Piloted Automated Driving Systems in Commercial Trucking Operations

Future Truck Committee Position Paper: 2022-1

Recommendations Regarding the Need to Study Potential Driver Disengagement Related to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Piloted Automated Driving Systems in Commercial Trucking Operations

ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council — through its Future Cab & Driver Interface Task Force — reviewed research conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AgeLab, which have studied the performance of passenger cars equipped with multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) operating at SAE Level 2 automation, and SAE Level 3 piloted Automated Driving System (ADS). This research identified behavior defined as “driver disengagement” due to an over-reliance on technologies to maintain safe operation of the vehicle, which is documented to be a factor in causation sequences leading to crashes. TMC recommends that industry research if, and to what extent, “driver disengagement” may be occurring in medium- and heavy-duty trucking operations, and how technology and cab design can mitigate associated safety risks.