🚧 New Board Member at ITS America — What It Means for Truckers

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

👤 Who Got Appointed?

Brad Wieferich, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), was just appointed to the ITS America Board of Directors.
(That’s the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, if you're wondering.)

Why should truckers care?
Because the people sitting on this board shape the future of U.S. highways, tech upgrades, and — yep — freight movement policy.

This ain’t just about traffic lights and speed bumps. It’s about automated trucking, smart infrastructure, toll systems, truck parking priorities, and the overall direction of America’s roads.

📡 What Is ITS America, and Why Does It Matter?

ITS America is where tech meets transportation policy.
They push for:

Smart roads

Connected vehicles

EV infrastructure

Freight data integration

Traffic safety systems

And yes... driverless trucking

They’re a big reason autonomous trucks and roadway surveillance tech are moving forward.

When a state DOT director joins their board, it usually signals tighter collaboration between local roads and national innovation policies. That means faster testing of new tech — often without trucker input unless someone speaks up.

🚨 How This Could Affect Truckers

Here’s where it gets real:

Driverless Truck Expansion – Expect more pilot programs in states like Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois.

Electronic Enforcement – More weigh stations, speed cameras, and HOS compliance tech — monitored automatically.

Truck Parking Tech “Solutions” – Instead of real spaces, they love apps that show full lots and say “good luck.”

Freight Corridors With Tolls – “Smart highways” = often more expensive to use.

If you're an OTR driver, your routes could change fast — and new rules might hit before you even hear about 'em.

💡 What Most Media Won’t Say

Most articles will say “this is great for safety and modernization.” But here's the truth behind the headlines:

These tech-driven policies often prioritize efficiency over driver experience.

The industry’s leaning toward reducing driver input, not increasing it.

These upgrades can lead to more surveillance, stricter enforcement, and less human oversight.

And here’s the kicker: truckers rarely have a seat at the policy table.
That’s why it’s important to watch appointments like this — because that boardroom has more control over your route than most dispatchers.

🧠 So What Should Drivers Do?

You ain’t powerless. Here’s how to stay ahead:

Stay informed – These policy shifts will affect your wallet and your workflow

Engage local reps – Especially if your state DOT starts rolling out pilot programs

Join forums and organizations that actually advocate for driver-first policies

Start building off-duty skills — because if autonomous freight grows faster than expected, you need a transition plan

🎯 Bottom Line

A new face at ITS America might not seem like headline news — but when that face controls highway dollars, automation policy, and freight innovation?

You better believe it matters.

Because while they're planning the future of trucking, most drivers are just trying to survive the present.

📣 Call to Action

Don't wait for a robot truck to replace your miles.
Learn how to build income outside the cab while you're still rolling.

👉 Start at OffDutyMoney.com
— a growing hub where truckers learn to earn online.

Want to mentor the next generation or help others navigate these changes?
👉 Tap into LifeAsATrucker.com

If we don’t shape the future, it’ll shape us — and not always in our favor.
Stay sharp. Stay moving. Stay Diesel. 💪