Scania tests truck platooning

Dutch Infrastructure and Environment Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen, along with representatives of the European Commission, recently took part in test drive of truck platooning on the A28 in the Netherlands. The convoy consisted of three Scania R500 Streamline trucks; the steering was done by truck drivers, but speed and braking were controlled by the front truck using wi-fi technology. The plan is to have fully self driving trucks in the future. This method of coupled drive, based on adaptive cr
February 11, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
RSS

Dutch Infrastructure and Environment Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen, along with representatives of the 1690 European Commission, recently took part in test drive of truck platooning on the A28 in the Netherlands.

The convoy consisted of three 570 Scania R500 Streamline trucks; the steering was done by truck drivers, but speed and braking were controlled by the front truck using wi-fi technology. The plan is to have fully self driving trucks in the future.

This method of coupled drive, based on adaptive cruise control, provides significant fuel savings. "With two second gap it is possible to save five per cent of diesel per truck. That is significant especially when you consider that fuel costs are 27 per cent of the total cost of transport." suggested Lars- Gunnar Hedström, head of product development at Scania. According to Hedstrom, another advantage of platooning is a reduction in traffic congestion. "Because trucks driving close to each other, there may be more cars on the road. The traffic flow is better, with less congestion.”

Dutch laws and regulations will have to be changed to allow full scale testing of self-driving trucks and vehicles, but Minister Schultz was positive about platooning and suggested that the Netherlands should take a leading role. "Self-propelled vehicles offer great opportunities to make our mobility easier, safer and cleaner, it is important that we learn by doing. She called on manufacturers, research institutes and governments to consult with each other to promote the development of self-propelled vehicles in Europe.

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ATRI seeks input on truck platooning
    November 25, 2014
    Working in collaboration with two FHWA-sponsored project teams, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is conducting research to explore trucking industry perspectives on the use of automated truck platooning, also known as Driver Assistive Truck Platooning. This concept is based on a system that controls inter-vehicle spacing based on information from forward-looking radars and direct vehicle-to-vehicle communications. Braking and other operational data is constantly exchanged between th
    Read More
  • Will driverless cars increase reliance on roads?
    February 29, 2016
    Researchers warn that driverless vehicles could intensify car use, reducing or even eliminating promised energy savings and environmental benefits. Development of autonomous driving systems has accelerated rapidly since the unveiling of Google’s driverless car in 2012, and energy efficiency due to improved traffic flow has been touted as one of the technology’s key advantages. However, new research by scientists from the University of Leeds, University of Washington and Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
    Read More
  • Your Tesla Autopilot has arrived
    January 15, 2016
    Tesla Motors has announced the release of Tesla version 7 software which includes Tesla Autopilot. This uses the radar, camera, electric assist braking system fitted to its Model S to deliver a range of new active features including the automated driving capabilities already offered in the Model S.
    Read More
  • Federal Highway Administration showcases truck platooning technology
    September 15, 2017
    The US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has conducted the first of a two-day demonstration of three-truck platoons on I-66 in Virginia. The results of a four-year research project to test the effectiveness of state-of-the-art driving and communications technologies were showcased at the event. Truck platooning uses vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology to allow trucks to follow each other more closely – at about one second apart – and travel in a more coordinated fashion.
    Read More

Highlighted Content