Skip to main content

Dutch autonomous vehicle project to develop platooning

The i-CAVE (integrated Cooperative Automated Vehicles) research program, led by Prof. Dr H. Nijmeijer of the Technical University of Eindhoven and funded through a recently awarded grant of US$4.2 million, aims to develop vehicles that can run both autonomously on dedicated roads or cooperatively on public roads. i-CAVE focuses on all important aspects involved in the development of such dual mode systems. Other participants include Delft University of Technology and University of Twente, 2getthere, DAF
December 1, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The i-CAVE (integrated Cooperative Automated Vehicles) research program, led by Prof. Dr H. Nijmeijer of the Technical University of Eindhoven and funded through a recently awarded grant of US$4.2 million, aims to develop vehicles that can run both autonomously on dedicated roads or cooperatively on public roads. i-CAVE focuses on all important aspects involved in the development of such dual mode systems.

Other participants include Delft University of Technology and University of Twente,  8172 2getthere, DAF, 278 Ford, Segula, 1692 TomTom, Mapscape, 4474 V-Tron, 818 Technolution, Almende, 481 ANWB, ECT, Grontmij, 62 IBM, iCELL, 5460 NXP, SIG, 7087 TNO, Witteveen + Bos, Automotive, the municipalities of Eindhoven and Helmond and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment.

It is expected that autonomous vehicles can offer great benefits in the future, but it will take many years before they will be integrated in normal traffic situations. Various governments are participating in this program believing dual mode systems could be the solution for traffic problems, particularly in urban settings.

Within the cooperative vehicle control part of the program, 2getthere will work on the development of platooning - vehicles driving as a virtual train by accelerating and decelerating simultaneously and being able to enter and leave the platoon.

Sjoerd van der Zwaan, CTO of 2getthere, says, “Platooning is difficult to develop. It has been subject of research for years, but an affordable and practical solution is not available yet. And that is the aim of our work within this research project."

Van der Zwaan is enthusiastic with the funds awarded: "The outcome of this research will contribute to our own technology roadmap. Our specific interest in platooning is that it will enable us to improve performance and capacity (in terms of maximum number of passengers per hour per direction). The results of this project will give us insight into the control algorithms to achieve secure and robust implementation of platooning, as well as insight into the sensors and technology needed."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • TfL launches LoCITY project to cut urban emissions from road freight
    February 1, 2016
    Transport for London (TfL) has launched a new five-year industry-led programme to reduce the emissions of London's freight and fleet operators. The programme will work across the industry to increase the availability and uptake of low emission vans and lorries. It will bring together freight and fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, fuel providers and the public sector. TfL says that 85 per cent of London's goods are transported by road and that freight makes up 17 per cent of London's road traffic.
  • Latest publications from ITS-JPO
    December 3, 2014
    Recently released publications from the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS-JPO) include the United States-Japan Evaluation Tools and Methods fact sheet and the United States-Japan-European Union Probe Data fact sheet.
  • UK van drivers drive more carefully in their personal vehicles
    September 13, 2013
    A new study by TomTom indicates that more than a third (39 per cent) of UK van drivers admit to driving more carefully when using their personal vehicle. The research, conducted among light commercial vehicle (LCV) drivers, found 67 per cent of those did so to save money on fuel and vehicle wear and tear and 29 per cent because of the absence of working time pressures.
  • Use of ITS technology grows more prevalent in safety applications
    January 30, 2012
    Transportation agencies and governments are using ITS technology to protect critical infrastructure from terrorist attack and other threats to economic security and public safety. Andrew Bardin Williams reports. It is no secret that we live in a potentially dangerous world. Terrorism as seen on 9/11 in the United States, subsequent attacks in London, Moscow and Madrid and other acts of violence across the developing world have made vigilance the watchword for ensuring security. Key infrastructure is now bei