COLUMBUS, OH. (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A pair of tractor-trailers equipped with automated truck platooning technology began making deliveries along Interstate 70 between Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday for EASE Logistics.
The deployment is a joint effort between the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)’s DriveOhio initiative and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) aimed at promoting the use of truck automation in the Midwest logistics industry.
Ohio and Indiana have long been significant players in logistics due to their central location and robust transportation infrastructure. Officials noted that while much of the testing of automated vehicles has occurred in regions with milder climates, assessing the technology in varied weather conditions is crucial for ensuring its safety benefits for Midwest residents.
“Everything we do at ODOT is driven by safety,” said ODOT Director Pam Boratyn. “We’re committed to reducing deaths on our roadways, and vehicle automation technologies can be part of the solution.” She pointed out that many vehicles already have automated features designed to enhance safety and reduce driver stress.
INDOT Commissioner Lyndsday Quist echoed this sentiment, stating, “Harnessing truck automation technology is one of many innovative safety efforts underway at INDOT. In partnership with Ohio, our goal is to create a safer, lower-stress environment for all drivers.”
The EASE Logistics trucks utilize platooning technology from Kratos Defense. This system electronically links two vehicles, allowing the lead truck’s driver to control the speed and direction of the following truck, which precisely mirrors the leader’s path. During designated portions of the I-70 trips, the second truck will automatically steer, accelerate, and brake, promoting efficient and coordinated operation. Importantly, professional drivers will be present in both truck cabs throughout the deployment and can manually override the automated system if necessary.
Maynard Factor, VP of Business Development at Kratos Defense, said the technology was originally developed for the U.S. military. “This project offers a real-world opportunity to demonstrate how proven automated driving systems can increase safety, strengthen supply chain resilience, and ensure economic vitality,” Factor stated. “Operating along the I-70 corridor between Ohio and Indiana enables us to showcase performance in complex, all-weather conditions essential to Midwest freight operations and accelerates readiness for broad adoption.”
Peter Coratola Jr., Founder & CEO at EASE, emphasized his company’s commitment to safety and innovation. “Our work on the I-70 project is a clear example of that commitment,” he said, highlighting the extensive driver training involved. “Through projects like this, we’re not only advancing innovation—we’re helping establish EASE and our region as national leaders in transportation.”
The trucks are also equipped with cameras and sensors that can detect objects, enabling the following vehicle to automatically adjust its speed or stop if something moves between the trucks. Because the trucks operate at a closer following distance when platooning, they will display a purple light on the cab to inform law enforcement that they are digitally connected.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Captain Chris Kinn believes the technology has the potential to improve roadway safety. “Unlike human drivers, automated vehicles do not drive impaired, text while driving, fall asleep at the wheel, or recklessly speed,” Kinn said. “The goal of this technology is to take the human error out of the safety equation.”
The $8.8 million project, partially funded by a U.S. Department of Transportation grant, is a multi-year initiative focused on deploying various levels of automation and integrating these technologies into daily freight operations. ODOT and INDOT plan to release a Request for Proposals later this year for further deployments of automated trucks in Ohio and Indiana. Additional information is available on their website.