Autonomous truck platooning is the linking of two or more trucks in a convoy through a combination of connectivity technology and automated driving systems. Platooning has a range of benefits for fleet managers, including improved efficiency, safety, and environmental impact.
As a concept, platooning has been around for years, but it has emerged as a hot topic in recent months. In April, Aurora launched the first driverless trucks in the US, a move which has shone a spotlight on platooning and the role that it has to play in the future of logistics.
But what actually is it, and why are vehicle companies so determined to explore its potential for improving cargo delivery? In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about truck platooning, including what it is, how it works, and the benefits that it can bring.
What is Autonomous Truck Platooning?
Truck platooning is the linking of two or more vehicles in a fleet so that they drive in close proximity with one another. With platooning, there is a vehicle at the head of the convoy that serves as the “leader.” The leader is manually operated by a human, while the other trucks behind automatically react and adapt to changes in its movement.
There is some debate as to whether other trucks in the platoon should also require a human operator on standby. A few weeks after it made history by debuting driverless trucks in Texas, Aurora rowed back and installed a human in the driver’s seat, at the request of heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer PACCAR Inc. Similarly, several states are currently deadlocked on the issue.
The vehicles in the convoy maintain a predetermined distance from each other for certain parts of the journey, such as when riding on the motorway. The logic is that, if present, a human driver wouldn’t need to intervene too much as the trailing vehicles are synced up to the leader.
How Does Autonomous Truck Platooning Work?
Impressive, right? But how does it actually work?
To begin with, platooning requires a significant amount of vehicle automation, so any progress in this area is closely tied to the advancement of driverless vehicles. Self-driving trucks in place, the system uses vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to tether two or more of them together.
This technology allows vehicles to be continuously aware of each other and communicate with each other when required. For instance, if one car brakes, V2V communication could be used to inform others that they, too, will need to slow down.
In the context of platooning, the vehicles in a convoy communicate through a specialized computer system. This system communicates with each truck in the platoon, aligning speed, acceleration, and braking. Drivers are responsible for steering and monitoring the system, as well as intervening when required. In the future, it’s hoped that trailing vehicles will be totally autonomous, but we haven’t reached that point yet.
Platooning relies upon drafting. This is an aerodynamic technique in which two moving vehicles align closely in order to reduce the overall effect of drag, and thus travel faster. It’s a popularly used strategy in various motorsports, and the principle here is exactly the same.
What Are the Benefits of Autonomous Platooning?
It’s thought that autonomous platooning has great potential to make cargo delivery safer, cleaner, and more efficient. In this section, I’ll take a look at some of the biggest impacts that it could have on your fleet.
Autonomous Platooning can improve fleet safety
Because all braking is automatic and doesn’t rely upon the reaction time of a human driver, truck platooning is potentially much safer than traditional driving. What’s more, it’s estimated that human error is a factor in 94% of all crashes. By reducing the number of drivers on the road, platooning could have a significant impact on this astonishing figure.
Autonomous Platooning can reduce fleet costs
Truck platooning could have a huge impact of fuel costs, with Geotab estimating as much as 4–5% for the lead truck and up to 10% for the second. With fuel one of the biggest expenses for any fleet management company, the long-term savings could potentially be massive. Alongside this, by optimizing your performance, truck platooning means that you’ll be able to make more deliveries, as well as saving money on insurance claims.
Autonomous Platooning is better for the environment
Ultimately, by making your fleet more efficient, truck platooning will reduce your carbon emissions. Sustainability is a hot-button topic in logistics at the moment, with companies facing mounting pressure to make their fleets more environmentally friendly as the Paris Agreement deadline looms. Platooning represents a positive step in the right direction.
Autonomous Platooning helps to address the trucking labor shortage
Arguably the biggest problem that the logistics industry is currently facing is the labor shortage, with a new Tech.co survey finding 25% of freight firms in agreement. Platooning can alleviate this issue in two ways. To begin with, by syncing up automated vehicles, your fleet won’t require as many drivers behind the wheel. And secondly, this new innovation opens up opportunities for upskilling for your existing drivers.
The Role of Technology in Logistics
Ultimately, this guide shines a light on the vital role of technology in the logistics space. With the US freight and logistics market size expected to reach $1.62 trillion by 2029, companies everywhere have a responsibility to explore the latest opportunities to make sure that they’re not standing in the way of that potential.
Truck platooning and automated vehicles are right on the cutting-edge of innovation. While different states are currently at different stages when it comes to the autonomous truck question, there are areas where this technology is looked upon favorably and testing is encouraged. These clusters represent a source of optimism for the future of the freight industry.
In the meantime, fleet management software can do wonders for the performance of your fleet, helping you to keep costs low, boost fuel efficiency, and adhere to the latest rules and regulations.