FW-HTF-RL: Reimagining Trucking: Forging an Equitable and Driver-Centered System in a Highly Automated World

自动化商用汽车（ACMV），特别是长途卡车运输，将改变美国经济的很大一部分，以及支撑这一经济的数百万工人。这项“人类技术前沿的未来工作-研究：大型”（FW-HTF-RL）奖支持研究，以调查自动化是否可以被设计为导致重新技能和新的就业机会，而不是使工作技能下降和扩大不平等。ACMV提供了更好的安全性、更高的燃油经济性和更短的旅行时间，最重要的是，为日益增长的供应链和卡车司机短缺问题提供了潜在的解决方案。然而，ACMV与我们所知的卡车司机所做工作的关系更加不确定。不可否认的是，随着更多的自动化技术被引入卡车，目前的人与技术的伙伴关系将发生变化。该研究项目旨在建立关于自动化挑战的新知识，并从以人为本的方法重新构想这种伙伴关系，以实现卡车运输的未来。调查人员将通过告知工作的尊严和重新设计界面的开发来实现这一点，卡车司机将以新的和富有成效的方式与自动化卡车和卡车运输功能进行互动;从工人的角度完成这些活动。该项目的结果可以使自动化和人工智能驱动系统改变未来工作的其他环境中的工人受益。研究团队将专注于卡车司机与ACMV之间的合作。该项目汇集了社会科学，计算科学，人为因素和运输工程方面的专业知识，以实现多个趋同目标：（1）在促进人车共生的同时分析技术;（2）与工人接触，以了解他们在不同背景下的经验;以及（3）调查工作，以制定更有效的、前瞻性的技能和培训政策。研究了可以促进包容性的组织背景、界面设计和人工智能技术，以及技术如何扩大卡车运输劳动力的机会。一系列的研究方法-从定性的photovoice，定量的劳动力分析，人工智能和人类系统的计算决策分析到交通工程设计评估-都被用于这个跨学科项目。总的来说，这个研究项目启动了一个关于卡车运输未来的急需的对话，并有助于以更以人为本，公平的方式重新想象整个卡车运输生态系统的未来。它产生的知识转化为新的政策，实践，培训计划和技术。它还通过制定一个更具活力和适应性的工作和工人定义，吸引更多样化的潜在卡车司机，吸引广泛的受众参与有关卡车司机职业道路的必要对话。该项目由人力-技术前沿跨部门计划的未来工作资助，以促进对相互依存的人类-技术-技术-该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Automated commercial motor vehicles (ACMVs), especially long-haul trucking, will transform a large segment of the US economy and the millions of workers that support it. This Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier - Research: Large (FW-HTF-RL) award supports research to investigate whether automation can be designed to lead to reskilling and new job opportunities rather than deskilling work and widening inequalities. ACMVs provide improved safety, enhanced fuel economy, and lower travel times, and most importantly, offer a potential solution to growing supply chain and trucker shortage problems. However, ACMVs' relationship to work performed by truckers as we know it is more uncertain. It is undeniable that the current human-technology partnership will change as more automated technology is introduced into the truck. This research project seeks to build new knowledge on the challenges of automation and reimagine this partnership from a human-centered approach to the future of trucking. The investigators will do that by informing the dignity of work and reskilling the development of an interface where truckers will interact in new and productive ways with the automated truck and the trucking functions; with these activities being completed from a worker's perspective. Results from this project could benefit workers in other contexts in which automation and AI-powered systems transform the future of work.The research team will focus on the collaboration between the trucker and ACMV. This project brings together expertise in social sciences, computational sciences, human factors, and transportation engineering to achieve multiple convergent goals: (1) an analysis of the technology while promoting human-truck symbiosis; (2) engaging with workers to gain knowledge of their experiences in different contexts; and (3) investigating the work to develop policies for more effective, forward-looking skills, and training. Organizational contexts, interface designs, and AI technologies that could promote inclusion are examined, as well as how technology can broaden opportunities within the trucking workforce. A range of research methods — from qualitative photovoice, quantitative workforce analysis, and computational decision analysis of AI and human systems to transportation engineering design assessments — are employed in this transdisciplinary project. Overall, this research project launches a much-needed conversation about the future of trucking and contributes to reimagining the future of the entire trucking ecosystem in more human-centered, equitable ways. It yields knowledge for translation into new policies, practices, training programs, and technology. It also engages broad audiences in needed conversations about career paths for truckers by developing a more dynamic and adaptable definition of work and workers that appeals to a more diverse pool of potential truckers.This project has been funded by the Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier cross-directorate program to promote a deeper fundamental understanding of the interdependent human-technology partnership in work contexts by advancing the design of intelligent work technologies that operate in harmony with human workers.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.