Ontario rolls out autonomous truck pilot program
Ontario has launched a pilot program for the testing of specific truck configurations that weigh more than 4,500 kg and are equipped with automated driving systems that meet the SAE International standard for Level 3, 4, or 5 autonomy.
The 10-year pilot program runs from Aug. 1, 2025 to Aug. 1, 2035, the provincial government revealed on its website. The program will allow approved participants to safely test automated commercial motor vehicle (ACMV) technologies on Ontario roads to evaluate their performance, assess opportunities to improve road safety and support the trucking sector.
The pilot has two streams. A driver-supervised stream, where a driver will be present in the driver’s seat and be prepared to engage and take control of the vehicle as necessary.
In the driverless stream, no driver is present in the vehicle’s driver seat. An assistant, located either inside the vehicle or at a different location in Ontario, must be ready to provide oversight of the ACMV.
Those interested in participating in the pilot program, must submit an application package and receive approval from the Ministry of Transportation, and work with the ministry to develop an approved testing approach. They must also meet specific requirements related to safety, minimum insurance coverage, driver and carrier qualifications, and other conditions.
Carriers must meet one of these 3 criteria to qualify for the pilot:
- Have at least two years of experience with a “satisfactory-unaudited” carrier safety rating and be partnered with another carrier that has at least five years of experience and a similar carrier safety rating.
- Have at least three years of experience with an “excellent-audited” carrier safety rating.
- Have at least five years of experience with a “satisfactory-unaudited” carrier safety rating.
Interested carriers can download the application package here.
To participate in the pilot, carriers must also fulfill conditions that include maintaining a minimum of $10 million in public liability insurance coverage and display specific signage on the front and rear of all vehicles participating in the pilot.
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.
-
Yes it will work dandy. These kinds of system have already had been implemented over Many countries and contributing great deal of cost saving for legistics industry!!!
Hopefully the company ratings will include the illegal owner operator sub suppliers that are causing all the accidents on Northern Ontario highways .
Insanity! The driver in the driver’s seat will get bored, open his phone, and watch videos or text his buddies! The out-of-truck assistant will fall asleep! There are accidents every day, even with qualified drivers (in most cases). You’re going to let an “assistant take control if necessary! Like I said, insanity!
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!
JUST LIKE PUTTING A 100,000 BOMB ON THE HIGHWAY
Another example that the government knows nothing about the trucking industry.
They should concentrate on inferior drivers and equipment.
Sure hope that no readers are involved with this idiotic concept.
So a driverless truck is barreling down the 400 and the internet connection goes down. What happens? These trucks should not be put in service until Doug has dug tunnels all over Ontario so these trucks can run in the tunnels. Tunnels and driverless trucks. Both real good ideas……ya think.
-
You are half correct. The half that you overlooked:
DOUG FORD SHOULD BE IN THE CAB, OF THE FIRST ATTEMPT, AND THEN HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE TRUCK MUST ENGAGE A SAFETY MEASURE.
Maybe, after Ford changes his shorts, he will wake up and realize what a foolish idea that this is.
This is a looney idea that will result in massive death and destruction and needs to be stopped before it starts. It can work with cars, but will never work with trucks.