Transportation Department Blocks Self-Driving Truck Company’s Safety Innovation
The Department of Transportation denied Aurora Innovation’s request to replace traditional warning methods with truck-mounted beacons for safety. This decision has led Aurora to file a lawsuit in federal court. The company, which is the first to put heavy-duty commercial self-driving trucks on public roads, hopes to expand routes to El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix by the end of the year. Aurora’s proposal would allow for more visible warning signals, particularly at night, and eliminate the need for drivers to walk into traffic to place safety signals.