Working in a Highly Automated Truck - Who, What and Why?
Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The society is becoming more and more dependent on automated solutions. Automation in the transport and logistic sector is accelerating and highly automated trucks, with level four on the SAE scale, are expected to be commercial in the near future. Although it is a common notion that automation leaves humans idle and hence redundant, history proofs the contrary. Technology has always yielded more jobs than it has replaced, though it has resulted in a bigger need for workers to acquire new skills fast. With the development of highly automated trucks, the driver will have the possibility to shift focus from the road during automated driving and hence being able to do other activities. This thesis work has investigated which activities the truck drivers can perform, to create value for the hauliers. It has also investigated what kind of persons that will fit for the changed work tasks. A theoretical study was made where the changing truck industry and humanautomation interaction overall were investigated. Other professions subject to automation in general, and the aerospace and train industry in particular, were also studied in order to forecast how the automation of trucks can affect the role of the driver. An empirical study was made where ten hauliers, four drivers and two pilots were interviewed. Further, a focus group was conducted with six drivers and a survey was sent out to be answered by drivers. The identified value bringing activities were in brief; administrative work, time-saving activities, activities that enhance the drivers' well-being as well as activities of the drivers' own interests. Further, the insights resulted in four personas of potential future truck drivers, which all had different levels of work experience and worked for road carriers that differed in size, from small family business to large international companies.
Authors: Amelie Janson, Caroline Lindqvist
Language: English
Subfield: Human Factors and Ergonomics
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2768476056