Success of Truck Platoon Challenge paves way for real-life convoys – Steve Phillips, CEDR

In the European Truck Platoon Challenge, convoys of smart trucks headed to Rotterdam in the Netherlands from starting points including Sweden and southern Germany. What was important about this?

“This was the first time we were able to engage in operating cross-border, cross-border truck platoons from different parts of Europe, with different manufacturers demonstrating their technologies to show that it is practical, that it is possible, and that we can actually operate these truck platoons along European highways.

“We weren’t looking to test the technology side. We wouldn’t have taken on this challenge if we weren’t sure the technology was safe and ready to use. This was just proof that we were able to overcome the institutional and operational challenges of running in different countries.

With platooning, multiple trucks connect their systems to drive together in a convoy with the lead truck setting the speed and route. How does this fit into automated transportation?

“In the case of platooning, what we’re really talking about is the highest levels of driver support. It’s like advanced adaptive cruise control, like you see in many vehicles right now. But instead of having a radar or sensor at the front of the car, like you do now, it’s He actually communicates with the truck in front of you and the truck in front of you says, “Look, I’m here, this is how fast I’m going to go and I know you’re way behind me,” and they’re talking to each other.

“The driver is still in the cab, the driver is still in charge, but the driver can be supported on his journey. His truck receives information from the truck in advance so he can drive safely behind it.”

Why should we be excited about truck platooning?

“The advantages of running trucks in rows are quite numerous. The first is the potential to reduce CO2 emissions. When trucks drive close together, they get the aerodynamic effect and thus save fuel in this way, just like birds do when they huddle together.

‘The second advantage in terms of CO2 is that the trucks are all communicating with each other and getting advanced information, so they drive more smoothly, they can improve their engine management and they can save fuel as they go.

“There will be safety benefits because drivers on their longer journeys will have a lot of support from automation in the cab. We will see benefits in terms of reducing congestion, in terms of vehicles driving more smoothly and interacting with each other.

“We’re also looking at whether we can offer some benefits in terms of reducing the impact of heavy goods vehicles on our infrastructure. Heavy goods vehicles cause damage to the road, they create ruts, they can damage bridges by repeatedly having lots of heavy loads pass through them. By looking at building automation into trucks, we’re looking at whether we can actually reduce some of those impacts.

“So if it works, and there’s no reason to say it won’t work, it could be profitable for all segments of society,” he added.

Researchers say trucks driving close together in platoons could reduce emissions by 20%. Video from Scania

How long will it be before truck pooling becomes an everyday reality?

“I’m pretty sure we’ll see this fairly routinely in the next few years in some countries on certain roads. In terms of regular cross-border operations, I think we’re probably several years away, unless it’s on a regional basis. There are obviously some concerns in some countries about how vehicles in particular are going to enter and exit highway junctions when these factions are going through. The process of doing that needs to be fully worked out.

“When it comes to actually organizing the roads themselves, there are slight differences between each country. That’s not a challenge in itself, it’s just something that needs to be worked through. It should be possible for countries to cooperate when there is a desire to do it very quickly.

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“If it works, and there’s no reason to say it won’t, it could be a win-win for all sectors of society.”

Steve Phillips, Secretary General, Conference of European Road Managers (CEDR)

One of the next events in your diary is the Transport Research Arena (TRA) conference, which will be held in Warsaw, Poland, from April 18 to 21. Why is this important?

“If we want to get the most out of roads, we need to integrate innovations such as automation, new materials, and different ways of purchasing and financing. The main benefit of TRA is that it brings together all the different stakeholders involved in developing new innovations, researching innovations, or implementing new innovations, whether from the automotive sector, waterways and rail, academia, materials, or construction.”

What do you expect to come out of the conference?

“We will be working to address issues around truck regulation and a wide range of ITS technologies. We are looking forward, for example, to providing guidance on matters as wide-ranging as water quality (how to prevent chemical water pollution as a result of road construction), right through to procurement. There are a number of “The various concrete actions that the road authorities will take from TRA and we hope that they will be implemented fairly quickly.”