STRAFFORD, MO. — Christenson Transportation, Inc., a mid-sized transportation provider hauling pet food and other high-value commodities has signed an eight-year agreement with Locomation. Christenson will deploy 500 trucks equipped with Locomation’s Autonomous Relay Convoy℠ (ARC) systems on five separate Autonomous Relay Network℠ segments.

Locomation’s ARC system is a human-led convoy of two trucks that are electronically tethered. This enables one driver to operate the lead truck while a second driver rests in the follower truck, allowing carriers to safely operate two trucks for 20-22 hours per day, all while remaining in compliance with the US Department of Transportation’s Hours-of-Service regulations. This technology will enable carriers to deliver more cargo farther and faster, while reducing the per truck greenhouse gas footprint by 22%, according to Locomation.  

“We are thrilled to partner with Locomation to offer autonomous trucking services to our customers,” said Don Christenson, president of Christenson Transportation. “We chose Locomation because we’re convinced they are bringing to market the safest and most viable turnkey model to enable us to deploy autonomous technology in the near term. For Christenson, this is an incredible opportunity to establish a strong early mover presence in the lanes we’ve chosen to launch in and enable us to double our market share.”

With Locomation’s freight optimization, Christenson anticipates increasing capacity by 52%, reducing empty miles by 50% and improving fuel efficiency by 18%. Christenson transports commodities in all forty-eight contiguous states and has offices near Springfield, Mo. and Lebanon, Tenn. The company specializes in hauling high-value, high-risk, and time-sensitive freight including pet food, tires, paper, electronics, and other general commodities.

Read more about supply chain topics affecting the industry on our Operations page.