Thursday 10 November 2022 11:56 PM Driverless truck testing in Melbourne put thousands of jobs at risk, Victorian ... trends now
Driverless trucks will be on Australian roads in a matter of hours with Melbourne drivers and some of the city's busiest freeways becoming the first guinea pigs to trial the new technology.
The Australia-first trial will kick off at 9pm on Friday night with the driverless trucks maintaining a speed of 80km/h to complete an 80km loop around Melbourne - starting from Todd Rd on the West Gate Freeway before travelling along CityLink and through to Warrigal Road on the Monash Freeway.
Safety drivers will be in the truck at all times and will take the wheel 'if necessary', with the trial running until 2am every night.
The trucks do not rely on vehicle sensors but instead use real-time data from CCTV cameras and lane use management signs to stay safely on the road.
While many have applauded the new technology, Victorian Tippers United (VTU) secretary and truckie Luke McCrone blasted the trial, saying it would mean disaster for thousands of Australians by putting drivers out of work.
'Transport provides more than just financial security for over half a million people in Australia, it also provides a sense of purpose for people,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
'Any roll out of job-killing driverless trucks needs to bear that in mind.'
Driverless trucks will be tested on Melbourne's CityLink highway from Friday night through to mid-December (pictured, supervising truck drivers in the driverless truck)
Victorian Tippers United secretary and truckie Luke McCrone (above) called for the government to stop the tests that are putting thousands of jobs at risk
Mr McCrone said he was also worried for Melbourne drivers - who would be on the road at the same time as the driverless trucks.
'Let them put pilotless planes in the air first where they don’t have thousands of everyday people sharing the space with them,' Mr McCrone said.
'Once that is proven safe then, and only then, come talk to me about such nonsense as driverless trucks.'
Mr McCrone slammed the state government for failing to reach out to industry groups, like VTU, before conducting the tests.
'Drivers need to be consulted as a first step, not a last step. Now we hear driverless trucks are on the road without a word from the government,' he said.
'No doubt big trucking companies, those that stand to gain from throwing thousands out of work, have been consulted but not a word to the men and women who rely on trucks for their livelihood.'
The driverless trucks, operate by satellite technology, will travel at 80km/h in the highway's 'fast lane' (pictured, one of the driverless trucks)
Mr McCrone said many
