Platooning Profiles: Dale Howard, AMTA
AMTA is releasing a series of profiles of the people involved with the Cooperative Truck Platooning System (CTPS) project currently collecting data from the nation’s first pair of artificially intelligent semi-trucks of their kind.
With more than 40 years of experience in the commercial transportation industry, AMTA’s Dale Howard has added one more bullet to his resume: One of two Level 2 Autonomous Driver Trainer’s in all of Canada.
Howard is one of many subject matter experts across the commercial transportation, technology, human factor and zero emissions mobility industries who has come together for the Alberta Motor Transport Association’s (AMTA) Cooperative Truck Platooning System (CTPS) trials currently taking place between Calgary and Edmonton.
Howard, right, at a CTPS morning safety meeting at the Bison yard Jan. 19.
“It is amazing technology,” Howard said of the project. “Level 2 automation has a driver behind the wheel who is working with the truck.”
The trucks, affectionately dubbed “Daisy” and “Lily”, are 2020 Peterbilt 579s equipped with Pronto AI’s Co-pilot System and were first introduced for their trial phase in September 2021. The trucks and their team of drivers are the focus of substantial data collection for on-road, human factor and fuel efficiency of traveling via platoon. Just one round trip between Calgary and Edmonton can garner as much as 65 gigabytes of data.
Howard spends his time in the project as a morning point of contact, providing a mentorship role to the drivers, warming up the vehicles, ensuring the technology is online and hooking up trailers to ensure weights and dimensions are correct to ensure a smooth departure for the teams.
“It is progressive and amazing to be part of a project of this calibre, the one of the only of its kind in Canada,” he said.
The trucks reside at Bison Transport in Calgary and pull fully loaded Bison trailers. Howard is very familiar with the carrier having spent 13 years with them, during which he achieved one million safe miles in 2012.
When not involved with CTPS, Howard, who is on AMTA’s Business Development team, works with membership on issues affecting their day-to-day operations. Another aspect of his role is meeting with prospective members and educating them on what the association has to offer. Around the office Dale is often approached for industry advice or just to chat about everything from cargo securement to his mule, Princess Margaret.
Howard and Princess Margaret enjoying the Alberta scenery.
When it comes to the prospect of a career in transportation, Howard noted getting behind the wheel is an opportunity to see parts of the country you never would see.
“There is a level of freedom and independence,” he said. “And you get to build a skillset that can take you out of the truck and get you into the office.”
Howard added commercial transportation is a diverse field with opportunities for all.