After a successful pilot program of automated truck convoy technology, Wilson Logistics has entered into an agreement with Locomation to equip more than 1,100 tractors with this technology starting in 2022.
During the eight-day pilot program, two Wilson Logistics locator trucks carrying trailers and freight were deployed as an Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) on a 420-mile-long route between Portland, Oregon, and Nampa, Idaho. ARC allows a driver to pilot a lead truck equipped with technological augmentation while a follower truck operates in tandem using Locomation’s fully autonomous system. Each ARC segment is designed for maximum performance and use by Locomation’s business operations team.
If the ARC concept proves successful, “there will likely come a time when the rear truck driver may be off duty, and when the front driver runs out of hours, he will trade places,” Darrel Wilson, founder and CEO of Wilson Logistics and a HDT Truck Fleet Innovatortold HDT in an interview for the HDT Talks Trucking podcast.
Under the terms of the agreement, at least 1,120 Wilson Logistics tractors are to be equipped with Locomation’s ARC technology, with the first units delivered in early 2022. Additionally, the agreement amends the commercial agreement between the two companies to extend through 2028.
“There will probably come a time when the driver in the back truck may be off, and when the front driver runs out of hours, they will switch places,” said Darrel Wilson, CEO of Wilson Logistics.
Working with the Wilson Logistics team, Locomation defined route segments to maximize asset utilization by capitalizing on freight density in each lane, allowing shippers and carriers to increase their use of available capacity, explained Tom Kroswek, business development manager at Locomation. “We then used our proprietary analysis methods to identify opportunities to optimize pricing to maximize yield per mile. Locomation’s unique ability to help our customers improve both yield and utilization is truly the holy grail of trucking.”
Of the 68 original high-value ARC segments identified by Locomation, Wilson chose to fill 37 of these routes.
Once fully commercialized, Locomation’s ARC technology is expected to produce an estimated 30 percent reduction in operating costs per mile, including an 8 percent reduction in fuel consumption, and remove more than 40 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per convoy per year, according to the company.
“We understand the importance of autonomous vehicle technology to the future of Wilson Logistics, and choosing our AV partner was a deliberate process,” explained Wilson. “In Locomation, we see the most viable path to safe, rapid and large-scale commercialization. Locomation provides both the technology and implementation methods necessary to enable Wilson Logistics to achieve our strategic plans for profitable growth through technology.”
Wilson Logistics began as Wil-Trans in 1990, a trucking company based in Springfield, Missouri. Through the acquisitions of Jim Palmer Trucking in 2014, O&S Trucking in 2016, RJs Transportation in early 2017, Haney Truck Line in late 2017 and Market Transport in 2019, Wilson Logistics was created.
“This order is just the beginning of a big step forward toward autonomous technology for the entire trucking industry,” said Çetin Meriçli, CEO and co-founder of Locomation.
Working with the Wilson Logistics team, Locomation defined route segments to maximize asset utilization by capitalizing on freight density in each lane.