PASSAGE 2: 18-Wheeler: The Forecast

Question

By Eddie Jones

Driverless trucks and AV (Automated Vehicles) are controlled by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) supercomputer. This computer takes in outside stimulus from sensors, cameras, and tech devices strapped to the outside of the truck and processes all the information at a rate that is fifteen times faster than the average human. They have their own Wi-Fi system within the truck so that they are not at risk of losing a signal and compromising their entire system. With features like these, it’s easy to wonder if the robots really are taking over and why we may or may not want them to do so.

It may surprise you to hear the primary motivators for corporations to use automated trucks rather than those operated by real humans—companies are pushing for more reliable technology in automated trucks so that they can convert to driverless fleets. Why do they want driverless fleets? There are three main reasons—cost, efficiency, and safety.

The Reason Driverless Trucks Are in the Fast Lane of Development

The average cost for the driverless technology on these big rigs is $250,000. At first glance, a quarter of a million dollars for a vehicle sounds outrageous. Surprisingly though, it pales in comparison to the cost of hiring and paying a driver for several years. When the annual salary and benefit packages are combined, the cost of the driverless technology pays for itself in less than five years.

In addition, a driverless truck doesn’t have the limits a human does. There is no need to stop for food or sleep, and a truck doesn’t need sick days or vacation days. Therefore, an automated truck can transport cargo twice as fast and complete three times more driving in a week than a truck operated by a human. An added bonus is that these automated trucks are not only time efficient, but they are also fuel efficient by keeping a steady speed and driving straighter. In contrast, a human driver can be a gas guzzler with even minor inconsistencies in braking and steering. All of these efficiencies affect a company’s profit margin and save businesses money by giving them quicker services for less cost.

Last, experts believe that the technology of driverless trucks has the potential to save human lives. You might wonder, “How can a computer possibly be safer than a human?” The answer lies not in what a computer can do, but rather in what humans do. Humans make mistakes. Sadly, in the world of trucking, those errors often result in fatalities. Unlike human drivers, computers don’t drive drunk or text while driving, they don’t fall asleep or get distracted, and they have consistent and reliable responses to stimuli. Humans do not. Over half a million auto accidents each year—or one in every eight automobile accidents—involve a semi-truck. The creators working on driverless technology believe that they will soon be able to offer a product with much better safety statistics. It seems that they are definitely moving in that direction, and it won’t be a matter of if we see a truck cruising along side us missing a driver, but just a matter of when we will see an empty cab.

Companies developing automated trucks believe that they can reduce the number of semi-truck related fatalities by eliminating human errors.

PASSAGE 1: The Next Big Thing
By Tess Wallace

It’s become a rite of passage in the United States. Somewhere around the age of sixteen, teenagers often get their driver’s license and move one step closer to adulthood. Thanks to the invention of the automobile this phenomenon has been commonplace for the last century. Teens get licensed and often find new freedom and independence from their parents, but this may all change soon. Drivers may not need licenses because we may be living in a world of cars controlled by supercomputers. Experts argue that this will change society for the better and be an especially positive move forward in the world of transportation and teens.

Driverless cars, also known as Automated Vehicles (AV), are on the cusp of taking over our roadways. Several companies are developing these high-tech vehicles. They claim they will solve the problems associated with teen drivers. These lofty assertions have led to one big question: How safe are driverless cars?

There are obvious safety advantages to a supercomputer controlling a vehicle rather than a teenager. To begin with, computers don’t consume alcohol. More than half of the injuries and deaths of teens due to auto accidents were alcohol related. Proponents of the driverless car note that drunk driving could quickly become a non-issue. Sober computers could save countless lives.

Another large contributor to teen deaths in car accidents is due to a failure to wear seatbelts. Nearly half of the teens between the ages of 16-19 that were killed in crashes in 2018 were unrestrained. With driverless cars, passengers may be required to buckle up while the car is in operation. This could encourage seat belt use among teens.

Human error is the primary cause of motor vehicle accidents. The fact that human driving errors are a leading cause of crashes is precisely why developers of the AV believe that driverless cars have the potential to be safer. They argue that computers don’t make errors. Technology is consistent and reliable when programmed to complete tasks. They believe that the challenge is in programming automated vehicles to know how to respond to every possible situation it may face. Developers claim this is possible.

The data is indisputable—teenage drivers are involved in and die more often in automobile accidents than drivers in any other age group. Yet, it is also clear that while supercomputers may have the potential to be safer drivers than humans, automated vehicles are not safer yet. According to Maria Martin in her article, 29 Must-Know Self-Driving Statistics, published in February of 2021, “…self-driving cars have a higher rate of accidents compared to human-driven cars, but the injuries are less serious. On average, there are 9.1 self-driving car accidents per million miles driven, while the same rate is 4.1 crashes per million miles for regular vehicles.”

It is crucial that driverless technology continue to be developed and studied. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the government entity responsible for highway safety, is committed to that cause. They are actively studying this issue and working alongside the creators of automated vehicles to ensure public safety. They are determined to answer the question, “Who is a safer driver? Humans or computers?” Until then...teens, keep practicing for that driving test!

WRITING TASK

Automated Vehicles (AVs) are becoming more common. Technology plays a large part in driverless vehicles.

Think about the ideas in the two passages, and then write an explanatory essay in your own words about the effects technology is having on driving.

Be sure to use information from BOTH texts in your explanatory essay. Write your answer in the space provided.

Before you write, be sure to:

think about ideas, facts, definitions, details, and other information and examples you want to use;
think about how you will introduce your topic and what the main topic will be for each paragraph;
develop your ideas clearly and use your own words, except when quoting directly from the source texts;
be sure to identify the sources by title or number when using details or facts directly from the sources.
Now write your explanatory essay in the space provided. Be sure to:

use information from the two texts so that your essay includes important details;
introduce the topic clearly, provide a focus, and organize information in a way that makes sense;
develop the topic with facts, definitions, details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic;
use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion;
clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts;
use clear language and vocabulary to inform about the topic;
provide a conclusion that follows the information presented; and
check your work for correct grammar, usage, capitalization, spelling, and punctuation.

Answer 1

The Effects of Technology on Driving: A Shift Toward Automated Vehicles

In recent years, technological advancements have made significant strides in the automotive sector, particularly with the development of Automated Vehicles (AVs) or driverless cars and trucks. These innovations are not only poised to change the way we think about transportation but also promise to enhance safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness on the roads. The two passages, "The Next Big Thing" by Tess Wallace and "18-Wheeler: The Forecast" by Eddie Jones, explore these themes, highlighting both the potential benefits and current limitations of AV technology.

One of the most compelling reasons for the transition to AVs is safety. According to Wallace, human error is a leading cause of automobile accidents, particularly among teenage drivers, who are statistically more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drinking and driving or failing to wear seatbelts. With driverless cars, the involvement of a sober supercomputer could significantly reduce such fatal risks. In a similar vein, Jones points out that automated trucks are designed to eliminate human errors, which are responsible for a large percentage of truck-related fatalities. As technology continues to evolve, these AVs aim to provide consistently reliable responses to various driving stimuli, which experts believe could ultimately lead to a decrease in traffic accidents.

Efficiency is another critical advantage associated with AV technology. Jones emphasizes that driverless trucks can operate without the need for food, rest, or breaks—allowing them to complete more deliveries in less time. Additionally, these trucks exhibit better fuel efficiency and operational consistency compared to human-operated vehicles, significantly benefiting companies' profit margins. Likewise, Wallace notes that driverless cars could encourage safer practices among teenage passengers, such as mandatory seat belt usage, further enhancing their overall effectiveness as a mode of transport.

Cost-effectiveness is an additional factor driving companies toward automated solutions. Jones mentions that the initial investment in driverless technology for an 18-wheeler amounts to approximately $250,000, which is a fraction of what businesses would spend on hiring and maintaining a human driver over time. The ability to save on salaries and overhead while increasing cargo delivery capacity makes AVs an attractive proposition for businesses.

However, while proponents of AV technology are optimistic about its safety advantages, Wallace highlights the caution with which the technology should be approached. Currently, self-driving cars have a higher accident rate than traditional vehicles, though the injuries resulting from these accidents tend to be less severe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is actively engaged in studying the safety implications of these advancements, underscoring the need for continued research and development.

In conclusion, the effects of technology on driving are profound, as evidenced by the developments in Automated Vehicles. Both passages highlight the potential benefits of AVs, including enhanced safety, improved efficiency, and reduced costs. However, the technology is still in its nascent stages, with ongoing research needed to address its current drawbacks. As the landscape of transportation continues to evolve, it is evident that technology will play an integral role in shaping how we drive in the future. The successful integration of AVs could indeed revolutionize the driving experience, paving the way for a safer and more efficient roadway system.