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Some of the perishable freight rolling down Highway 99 from Fresno to Los Angeles is now riding in trucks that drive themselves, though a human is still in the driver’s seat for now.
Fresno-based DTL Transport Inc. and autonomous driving technology company Kodiak AI began an autonomous trucking pilot Sept. 22, hauling perishable goods between Fresno and a distribution center in Los Angeles.
Kodiak describes the runs as the first autonomous trucking deliveries under California’s new regulations, according to a Kodiak news release. The pilot follows Kodiak’s receipt of a heavy-duty Autonomous Vehicle Testing permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles in August.
A human safety driver will remain behind the wheel during the companies’ initial work.
Autonomous trucks take on Fresno-Los Angeles route
The roughly 225-mile route runs primarily along Highway 99 and Interstate 5.
DTL Transport specializes in cross-country team runs hauling produce for several of the nation’s largest grocers, according to the release. The Fresno company is exploring how autonomous technology could complement its existing fleet and drivers as freight volumes grow.
DTL has provided dry and refrigerated full truckload transportation for more than 36 years and operates a fleet of more than 100 trucks, according to the release. Second-generation owner Lucky Dosanjh leads the family company. His son, Jovan Dosanjh, represents the third generation as head of the dispatch department.
Kodiak and DTL said the pilot will allow them to evaluate how autonomous trucking could affect transit times, shipping costs, produce shelf life and freight capacity.
“In a constantly evolving freight market, DTL is always looking for ways to leverage new innovations that drive efficiency and value in our operations,” DTL Transport President and CEO Lucky Dosanjh said in the release. “Our work with Kodiak helps us understand how embracing this cutting-edge technology improves safety, increases margins and affirms our leadership position in the industry.”
California opens roads to autonomous truck testing
The DMV approved new regulations April 28 allowing heavy-duty autonomous vehicles to be tested on public roads, according to the release. Kodiak received its permit Aug. 13.
The permit is the first step in the DMV’s phased approach, which progresses from testing with a driver to driverless testing and ultimately driverless deployment.
“California’s comprehensive autonomous vehicle regulations are a major unlock for freight innovation in our home state,” Kodiak founder and CEO Don Burnette said in the release.
Mountain View-based Kodiak (Nasdaq: KDK) plans to launch driverless operations on public highways in Texas by the end of 2026, according to the release.
Central Valley freight network becomes testing ground
DTL is exploring whether autonomous trucks could supplement its fleet when freight demand exceeds available capacity. The companies also plan to use the pilot to study potential effects on supply-chain resilience and the movement of time-sensitive perishable commodities.
“This pilot highlights the potential for autonomous trucking to be another tool to strengthen California supply chains, support California agriculture and improve the efficiency of goods movement across the state,” Trelynd Bradley, deputy director of innovation and emerging technologies at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, said in the release.
Kodiak and DTL said results from the pilot could help them evaluate additional opportunities in California and elsewhere.
