TDOT to pilot autonomous freight trucks on West Tennesee I-40 corridor A program piloting the use of autonomous tractor trailers and freight technology will soon be coming to Interstate 40 in West Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced the selection of Cavnue, LLC as its private-sector partner for the Memphis/West Tennessee Smart Freight Corridor Pilot, a major initiative aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and advancing freight technology along I‑40 between Memphis and Blue Oval City. The multi‑year pilot will evaluate Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) freight technologies in real‑world operating conditions, giving TDOT the data and insights needed to shape long‑term freight modernization strategies for Tennessee. This project is TDOT’s first dedicated smart freight initiative, allowing the department to partner with Cavnue to test smart freight technologies in real‑world conditions while the state maintains control of the roadway, data, and future decisions. In the coming months, the firm will begin project planning and design work under TDOT oversight. Upon TDOT approval, the project will advance to temporary on‑road testing, followed by a final evaluation to inform future freight and infrastructure decisions. Under this Initiative, the firm will lead the following project work: - Conducting detailed corridor and infrastructure analysis - Developing the pilot’s concept of operations and design - Installing temporary roadside and vehicle-based technologies - Collecting and analyzing real-time freight and traffic data - Evaluating system performance, safety impacts, and operational benefits - Stakeholder engagement The I‑40 corridor serves one of Tennessee’s busiest and most economically vital freight routes. With rapid industrial growth in West Tennessee, including major investments in and around Blue Oval City, freight volumes are expected to continue to increase in the coming years. The Smart Freight Corridor Pilot will help TDOT better understand how emerging freight technologies can: - Improve safety and