What If Midland-Odessa Sand Trucks Went Autonomous?

If you live in Midland-Odessa, Texas, then there is a good chance you have heard about the infamous sand trucks.  Sand trucks are essential to the gas and oil industry because they typically haul proppant (also known as frack sand) from one location to another.  A role that is stereotyped as a role for younger drivers who are early in their careers.

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It seems that sand truck drivers have gotten quite a reputation in the region. Many of them are judged as bad drivers and have caused many accidents over the years.  While I feel that may be true, I also feel it is quite unfair to judge them all as bad drivers collectively.  Regardless, many people who live in Midland-Odessa have their own opinions on the matter.

In recent news, autonomous trucks are hitting the road this month in the Dallas area and it has people somewhat uneasy about how they feel about a fully autonomous truck that could weigh up to or in excess of 80,000 pounds.  Despite how it makes people feel, autonomous trucks have been in development for many years and are just now starting to hit the roadways.  Some even speculate that one day, all trucks will be autonomous, completely replacing human drivers.  However, that likely won't happen for many years.

It brings up the question of what if a company offered to replace all sand trucks with AI to make them fully autonomous?  Would the people of the Permian Basin welcome this?  Or would people push back because it would put countless hardworking sand truck drivers out of work?  Would accidents or incidents involving sand trucks go up?  Or would they go down?  We want to know what you think.