Oak Ridge lab eyes Chattanooga as testing ground for driverless trucking

Thomas Zacharia, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory director, speaks with CEO of Variable George Yu, UTC Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science Daniel Pack, UTC Vice Chancellor of Research and Dean of the Graduate School Joanne Romagni, and EPB chairman Joe Ferguson Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, during Zacharia's visit to the Innovation District at the Edney Building in Chattanooga, Tenn. Zacharia became the Oak Ridge Lab director July 1.

By Mike Pare August 24, 2017 4 min read

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ORNL eyes autonomous driving

Thomas Zacharia, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory director, speaks to entrepreneurs and others Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, during Zacharia's visit to the Innovation District at the Edney Building in Chattanooga, Tenn. Zacharia became the Oak Ridge Lab director July 1.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann speaks to a group of entrepreneurs and others Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, before introducing Thomas Zacharia, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory director, during Zacharia's visit to the Innovation District at the Edney Building in Chattanooga, Tenn. Zacharia became the Oak Ridge Lab director July 1.

Thomas Zacharia, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory director, is introduced by Congressman Chuck Fleischmann Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, during Zacharia's visit to the Innovation District at the Edney Building in Chattanooga, Tenn. Zacharia became the Oak Ridge Lab director July 1.

Thomas Zacharia, Oak Ridge National Laboratory director, speaks to entrepreneurs and others Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, during Zacharia's visit to the Innovation District at the Edney Building in Chattanooga, Tenn. Zacharia became the Oak Ridge Lab director July 1.

We see ORNL as not just a national lab … but as a regional force.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s new director said Wednesday the lab is considering testing in Chattanooga related to autonomous driving and long-haul trucking.

Also, lab chief Dr. Thomas Zacharia said during a visit to the city’s Innovation District that a Chattanooga office set up last year “absolutely” will remain in place as the lab tries to forge new partnerships with EPB, businesses and others.

“We see ORNL as not just a national lab but as a regional force,” he said. “We really want to make sure we play that role working with Chattanooga.”

Zacharia, a lab veteran who became its director July 1, said the laboratory is looking for funds to help finance the long-haul trucking testing that could take place on a test track already in place off Amnicola Highway.