UK to start testing self-driving truck "platoons" in 2018!
The UK Government has announced that the testing of semi-automated lorries on major British roads would be conducted by 2018-end. Using a concept called "platooning", the self-driving trucks will travel in a small convoy of three and will be connected via Wi-Fi. The acceleration, braking, and steering of these driverless heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will be controlled by the lead vehicle. Know more!
Platooning could help make vehicles more efficient
Each semi-automated HGV platoon will have a lead vehicle in the front controlled by a human driver, who wirelessly controls the trucks behind. However, during test runs, every truck will have a driver inside, ready to take control in case of any problem. In platooning, the lead vehicle pushes air out of the way, increasing the rear vehicles' efficiency by lowering their emissions.
TRL to carry out tests of vehicle platoons
The UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been awarded the contract to conduct the platooning experiments. It will start trialing the technology on test tracks first, after which it will be tested on the main British roads by 2018-end. TRL is reportedly partnering with Dutch truck-maker DAF Trucks, British smart-tech transport company Ricardo, and German logistics firm DHL for the project.
UK now expects platooning experiments to go ahead
The UK has been keen on testing "automated truck platooning" since 2014, but its plans have been delayed several times due to various reasons. However, it is now confident about testing the concept in 2018. British Transport Minister Paul Maynard said platooning could lead to fuel savings for transport companies, which may even benefit consumers in the longer term.
UK Transport Minister Paul Maynard's statement
Maynard stated platooning of trucks could lead to less congestion, cheaper fuel bills, and lower emissions. However, he said, "First we must make sure the technology is safe and works well on our roads, and that's why we are investing in these trials."
Safety concerns being raised over truck platooning
Edmund King, President of the UK's Automobile Association, raised safety concerns over platooning of automated trucks. He said British roads are some of the busiest in Europe with a lot of exits and entries. He added AA isn't convinced that platooning in the UK is "the way to go," he pointed out lorry convoys can block road signs from other road users' view.
Concept of platooning tested by several countries
The US's University of California experimented automated two-truck platooning in 2003 and three-truck technology in 2010-11. Two years ago, Germany's RWTH Aachen University tested a platoon of four lorries spaced at 10m apart. In 2016, Sweden's Scania Transport Laboratory tested platooning on a 520km-long route between Sodertalje and Helsingborg cities. In Feb'17, Japan conducted four-truck platooning in Tsukuba City.
