The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) safety and oversight.

The department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency—Infrastructure is seeking input from interested parties on the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in transportation.

“We caution against embracing any unproven and unreliable AI innovations that will not accomplish safety objectives. Rushing to introduce or mandate such ‘innovations’ has not resulted in touted highway safety benefits and forced many experienced truck drivers out of the industry because they can’t afford the costs of the equipment,” the OOIDA said in submitted comments.

The association observed that some emerging technologies have proven to distract drivers, do not work as designed, or are simply too expensive an investment for small-business trucking companies.

“AI presents various ethical, operational, cybersecurity, and further unknown challenges that merit comprehensive consideration,” OOIDA said.

Autonomous vehicles

The group noted that the most prominent application for AI within trucking will likely be in the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs).

“Despite the various claims that AVs will lead to zero deaths, there continue to be real-world situations in which automation has devastatingly failed. For truckers who must share the road with these vehicles to do their job, an accident caused by autonomous technology could put them out of business and cause serious injury or death.”

Todd Spencer, OOIDA president and chief executive officer urged DOT to develop AV standards that are based on documented research and testing data. The association said it supports mandatory testing, safety, and crash reporting requirements that provide the public with direct and easy access to information about AV performance.

Many of these recommendations would be necessary to ensure AI safety and oversight, it added. OOIDA urged DOT to ensure that future policies result in safe, secure, affordable, and equitable deployment of new innovations.