This morning, a fleet of self-driving trucks arrived at the Dutch port of Maasvlakte, completing a journey across the continent that organizers say demonstrates the future of transport in Europe. Known as the European Truck Platoon Challenge, the experience involved trucks from six different manufacturers traveling in miniature convoys. A driver in the lead vehicle in each convoy sets the speed and route, while the other trucks follow automatically, with a Wi-Fi connection that keeps braking and acceleration (but not steering) in sync.
Less congestion, fewer accidents, less fuel consumption
This is not a fully automated system, but it is a clear step towards that goal and has tangible benefits of its own. Platooning, as this method is known, can mean less congestion, fewer accidents and less fuel consumption. A working paper from Dutch research firm TNO says that each truck in a platoon — both the one you follow and the one you lead — uses on average 10 percent less fuel per trip. The same report states that 90% of driving accidents are caused by human error, and although a full safety analysis has not yet been carried out, the suggestion is that automation will lead to fewer accidents.
In the recently completed challenge, trucks from companies such as Daimler, Volvo and Scania (a subsidiary of Volkswagen) competed, with each convoy setting off from a different location. The Scania range has covered the longest distance, covering more than 2,000 kilometers through Sweden, Denmark and Germany to reach its destination in the Netherlands. The trucks did not travel in a platoon the entire trip — only on highways when traffic conditions were “normal” — and each vehicle, even those following the lead truck, had a human driver on hand.
Technology is here. Regulations are coming
The faction challenge has successfully demonstrated the potential of its technology, but EU companies and governments must now address the trivial details of regulation and implementation. Border crossing rules must be established for self-driving trucks, as well as a protocol for forming factions. Can convoys be created in an improvised way midway, for example, or will they always have to start and finish at the same location? Will the drivers of the following trucks be able to catch a break while their vehicle is constrained by the chain in front of it?
The next step for participants will be to discuss these matters at an informal meeting of the European Transport Council on 14 April. Companies and local governments in the United States seeking to implement similar schemes will no doubt be watching with interest.
Verge video: This is what it’s like to ride in a self-driving Daimler truck
