Amazon Investing in Safety Technology for Middle-Mile, Last-Mile Fleet

Amazon is spending $200 million on safety technology across its transportation network in 2023. A recent website post highlighted some of the technology-based safety and sustainability solutions it’s continuing to invest in and expand upon this year.

Udit Madan, vice president of Amazon Transportation, said the company is already working toward the goals outlined in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS).

“It’s our belief that the technology we create, along with innovations spearheaded by our industry partners, can raise the bar on safety and reduce crash frequency and severity,” he said. “And in many cases, these innovations are better for the environment, too.”

Safety Technology for Middle-Mile Trucking

Amazon has equipped its middle-mile trucking network, which ships packages to and from operations sites before they’re dispatched for last-mile delivery to customers, with advanced safety technology, including:

• automatic emergency braking
• front-collision warning
• stability control
• lane-departure warning
• side-object detection
• adaptive cruise control
• speed limiters.

Since 2017, Amazon tractors have also been equipped with driver-facing cameras. Trailers are outfitted with sensors to monitor lights, anti-lock braking systems, cargo and door sensors, and more.

“Based on our full technology package, equipment manufacturers have indicated that Amazon is a pioneer in incorporating the most advanced safety features,” Madan said. “And outside of our fleet, we’ve invested heavily in our route planning navigation systems and predictive analytics software to better monitor fleet safety.”

Last-Mile Delivery Safety Tech

Amazon also is expanding in-vehicle camera safety technology across its last-mile delivery network. This technology identifies safety events and provides real-time alerts.

“We began outfitting Amazon-branded delivery vans in the U.S. with this technology in 2020 and, since rolling it out, we’ve seen a 35% reduction in accident rates across our network,” Madan wrote. “This technology is a game-changer and will be in nearly 100% of Amazon-branded vehicles by April 2023.”

Madan also gave examples of some of the cutting-edge technologies it is piloting, such as strobing brake light technology in some trailers, and digital side mirror camera technology to reduce blind spots.

“As we pilot new technologies and learn about the safety efficacy, we’ll be able to make data-driven decisions about whether and how to deploy these and other technologies broadly across our fleet of vehicles and trailers.”