Autonomous trucking in Fort Worth Mobility Innovation Zone

As technology continues to evolve, the future of logistics is being redefined by autonomous trucking. However, successful implementation goes beyond mere innovation; it requires a collaborative approach involving city infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and safety protocols. In Fort Worth, Texas, the Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) is emerging as a critical player in this transformative journey, making it one of the leading autonomous trucking hubs in the United States.

We had the opportunity to speak with Ian Kinne, the director of logistics and innovation at Hillwood, who shared insights on how the MIZ is partnering with various stakeholders—including industry leaders, government entities, and local communities—to pave the way for the future of freight transportation.

Index

Why autonomous trucking companies choose Fort Worth
Safety as the foundation of autonomous trucking
The role of public-private partnerships in growth
Employment concerns in the autonomous trucking landscape
Preparing for the electric future of trucking

Why autonomous trucking companies choose Fort Worth

Fort Worth's MIZ has quickly become a magnet for autonomous trucking firms. According to Kinne, “We’ve worked with just about every single autonomous trucking company now in the industry.” This includes notable companies such as Torc Robotics, Aurora, and Volvo Autonomous Solutions, all of which have established operations within the area.

There are three primary reasons why the MIZ and the broader AllianceTexas region are appealing to autonomous vehicle (AV) freight companies:

Strategic location: The region boasts access to major interstate highways, facilitating efficient logistics.
Favorable climate: Fort Worth enjoys consistent, year-round weather, which is crucial for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles.
Supportive regulatory environment: Texas has adopted a progressive stance towards autonomous technology, promoting innovation rather than placing barriers.

Kinne highlighted Texas Senate Bill 2205, which was enacted in 2017 and has significantly contributed to the growth of autonomous vehicle testing in the state. “The state took a different approach. They said, ‘rather than being closed off to new technology, we want to be on the forefront of this,'” Kinne explained.

Safety as the foundation of autonomous trucking

While efficiency and cost savings often dominate discussions around autonomous freight, safety remains the top priority for many companies in the sector. Kinne pointed out, “They’re not looking at it as a reduction in labor costs. They’re looking at it from just the insurance premiums continuing to rise.” Technologies that promote safety, such as forward collision assist and lane-keeping systems, have demonstrated measurable improvements, providing a solid foundation for the development of fully autonomous systems.

Legislation is also evolving to enhance safety. Kinne referenced upcoming laws that will empower the state to restrict unsafe operators of autonomous vehicles. “If they’re not operating in a safe manner, the ability to actually deal with that and take those trucks off of the roads, I think that’s absolutely important,” he noted.

The role of public-private partnerships in growth

AllianceTexas is predominantly a privately funded initiative, but Kinne emphasized the importance of collaboration with public entities. “We’ve got about $1.1 billion of public investment here in Alliance and about $16.3 billion of total investments. That’s about a 16-to-1 ratio of private to public,” he stated.

The development spans over 27,000 acres and supports more than 66,000 daily jobs. For Hillwood, the incorporation of autonomy extends beyond merely adopting new technology. “We build four walls and a roof at the end of the day, but we have to work very closely with our city to ensure that the networks, the roadways, the infrastructure to get to those buildings are in a place where our customers are enabled and encouraged to do what they need to do for their business to be successful,” Kinne elaborated.

Employment concerns in the autonomous trucking landscape

With the rise of autonomous vehicles, concerns about job displacement persist. Kinne reassured that for current truck drivers, “the absolute likelihood is that you will still be a truck driver for as long as you want to be.” The existing hub-to-hub model necessitates the involvement of local drivers at both ends of the transportation cycle.

Furthermore, Kinne highlighted proactive measures to address workforce transitions. “They’ve done a very good job of working with some of the local community colleges as well on educating the workforce that’s needed for the autonomous vehicles,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of training and re-skilling initiatives.

Preparing for the electric future of trucking

While most autonomous trucks currently operate on diesel, the Fort Worth region is positioning itself for an electric future. Kinne stated, “We’ve begun to spend a lot more time with electric trucks,” especially focusing on last-mile deliveries and drayage applications. Although long-haul operations remain largely diesel-dominated, the groundwork is being prepared for a broader transition to sustainable energy sources.

With projections estimating that the Dallas-Fort Worth area will grow to approximately 11.5 million residents by 2045, the need for enhanced infrastructure will become increasingly critical. Kinne mentioned initiatives such as nighttime AV operations and network route optimization as part of Fort Worth's strategic efforts to build a resilient transportation future.

For those interested in delving deeper into the developments within the MIZ, the following video provides an insightful overview: