Truck platooning is when two or more heavy vehicles are electronically paired via vehicle-to-vehicle communication and travel in convoy at an interval well below the normal following distance. The lead vehicle relays its acceleration and braking decisions to the convoy instantly; because the following vehicles react far faster than human reflex, a short following distance becomes safe.
Where Does the Fuel Economy Come From?
A significant share of the energy spent at motorway speeds goes into overcoming aerodynamic drag. In a convoy, the following vehicle travels in the low-pressure wake region opened up by the vehicle ahead, and the drag it encounters is noticeably reduced; the lead vehicle also gains a share from the recovery of the wake region behind it. The heavy-vehicle aerodynamics literature treats platooning as an operational drag-reduction option that complements on-vehicle equipment such as side skirts and rear treatments.
Building Blocks of the System
- Vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication and synchronised braking commands
- Adaptive cruise control and radar-based distance control
- Lane-keeping support and high-resolution positioning data
- A software layer that manages convoy formation, joining and departure procedures
The trailer side is not a passive partner in this equation: the brake system's response speed, the trimness of aerodynamic equipment and the accuracy of axle-load data directly affect both the safety and the payoff of the convoy. As platooning spreads, the concept of a platoon-ready trailer will enter the purchasing criteria.
References
- Van Raemdonck, G. M. R. & Urila, I. (2019). A Study in Options to Improve Aerodynamic Profile of Heavy-Duty Vehicles in Europe. Sustainability, 11(19), 5519. DOI: 10.3390/su11195519