David A. Kolman, editor, Fleet Maintenance

Kolman’s Korner: The truck platoon is ready, sir

Aug. 10, 2015
Research assess the potential for driver-assistive truck platooning.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) – the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization – is part of a research team which recently released its Phase One Final Report of the Driver-Assistive Truck Platooning (DATP).

The research into truck platooning research – funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Exploratory Advanced Research program – involved using radar, vehicle-to-vehicle communications and video technologies to improve fuel economy without compromising safety. It also looked into the development and assessment of trucking industry user requirements.

Some of the Phase 1 results:

- Up to 10 percent fuel economy for the trailing truck; up to 5 percent fuel economy for the leading truck.

- Truckload and linehaul LTL operations would likely be the greatest beneficiaries of a platooning system, particularly among larger fleets.

- Fleets and drivers who operate average truck trips of more than 500 miles would experience the highest returns on investment from platooning.

- Modelers at Auburn University confirmed that platooning would not negatively impact traffic flows and could improve traffic flows if truck market penetration reached 60 percent.

Phase 2

In Phase 2 of the DATP project, the research team will be conducting both test-track and on-road pilot testing of the system. Additionally, the team will monitor and assess a variety of human factors considerations including driver satisfaction, driver training requirements and driver operational experiences.

The DATP research team – led by Auburn University – includes ATRI, Bishop Consulting, Peloton Technology, Peterbilt Trucks, and Meritor Wabco.

The Driver-Assistive Truck Platooning Phase 1 report is available on the ATRI website by clicking here.
 

About the Author

David A. Kolman | Contributor - Fleet Maintenance

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