Steve Viscelli is an economic sociologist who studies work, labor markets, automation, and public policy. He is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. His first book The Big Rig: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream (UC Press, 2016) explains how deregulation of trucking and the rise of independent contracting turned trucking from one of the best blue-collar jobs in the US into one of the toughest. His current research examines the development and potential impacts of self-driving trucks. He works with a wide-range of organizations and policymakers to help make the trucking industry safer, more efficient and a better place to work.

At Einride Mesh, Steve will be part of the panel discussion “From shortage to opportunity: The future of truck drivers” with Einride’s remote operator Tiffany Heathcott. The session will explore electrification and automation as the solution to several challenges, offer a deep dive into why drivers are leaving their jobs and how machines and humans can work better together.

What do you see as one of the most important trends for 2023? 

For 2023, we will see a continued regulatory uncertainty around driver classification, wage and hour rules.

What does "Make intelligent moves" mean to you?

To me, "Make intelligent moves" means to invest in operational changes that promote efficiency comprehensively, not on just one or two dimensions.

In your opinion, what is the most important impact that autonomous trucks will have on the trucker labor market? 

The introduction of autonomous trucks will impact the trucker labor market in several ways. Particularly, it will reduce long-haul jobs and increase local jobs.