There’s a pattern to self driving truck news. First, people recognize the possibility that truck drivers can be replaced by programs.
Real time progress mixes with future projection. People add good ideas. Such as a separate highway for self driving trucks. Does anyone really want to drive alongside giant robots? So, they look at a separate system.
As in the Georgia proposal, in which trucks are set to run in in close groups. If they’re close, it cuts wind resistance. Why not make this easy, with reversible coupling between trucks? Much simpler, Much closer Also, the land use vastly reduced, and a speed of 200kph or more is attainable.
Inflatable tires are a weakness. On a dedicated highway, you can smooth the wheels, and narrow and direct the highway. Grooved steel would work well. The increase in energy efficiency is huge.
Never forget the first and last miles. Much freight traffic either starts at mines or ports. A good freight system needs to be able to take stuff either off docks or mines and deliver it to final destinations with a quick transfer from a container load to a semi or just dropping on a road.
So, the future is clear : Terrestrial Rapid Adaptable Intermodal Network Systems