The idea of platooning is not a new one. Trucking companies have long been looking for ways to increase fuel efficiency. Until recently however, it was an extremely dangerous practice. In order to get the benefit of drafting behind another truck, you had to be dangerously close – too close for a driver to be able to react in time to a sudden deceleration, not to mention the issue of not being able to see past the truck in front of you. Now Vehicle To Vehicle (V2V) companies are hoping to use new technology to enable carriers to reap the benefits of platooning in a safe manner.
Peloton Technology, a California-based technology firm, is among those leading the charge. Their new V2V systems make use of cameras and radar to keep the follow truck close but safe. Using wireless technology, the two trucks share information that they gather, allowing the system in the rear truck to “see” what the cameras on the front truck are looking at. This allows both trucks to react to changing road conditions as quickly as possible. In fact, according to Peloton, even if the front truck brakes suddenly, the reaction time for the rear truck to perceive the change and brake accordingly is as fast as a few tenths of a second.
While the system would “augment” the trucker’s driving, he or she would remain in control of the vehicle at all times, never surrendering steering to an automated system.
During a demo for a few large carriers, Peloton used rigs that stayed only 36 feet apart while traveling at 64 mph. At that follow distance, the fuel savings for the rear truck is 10% and the front truck sees a reduction of fuel consumption of 4.5%. According to Peloton, when they test with less separation, those savings only increase.
So how will this affect your average trucker? Platooning systems are already being used by some larger carriers as part of pilot programs, but according to Denny Mooney, Navistar International Corp.’s vice president of Global Product Development, there’s no reason that the technology would have to be limited to large carriers. In fact, Mooney claims that “the trucking industry could develop and agree on common communication protocols so trucks can virtually ‘meet’ on the road and then elect to platoon over a certain distance or route.” This would allow any two (or possibly more in the future) truckers to meet up and form road chain, giving each truck involved a fuel saving of 10% or more.
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Source: fleetowner
Image Source: truckinginfo
Ray says
Sounds great. Lets do it.
Joe Skeptical says
LOL, sure! Tomorrow morning….
64 mph with a dozen yards following distance? Speaks for itself.
ez says
lol no thanks, i do not want to be behind or in front of the dumb ass that is texting , bored, nodding off, etc……………..
Willie Grooms says
Any driver that would even consider doing this, needs to think about another occupation.
stan says
Again taking safety out of our own hands and relying on technology. No thanks I’ll spend a little extra on fuel hang back from the truck that’s in front of me and see for myself what’s up ahead
After all technology is as only as good as the programming
matt says
ditto, people are depending on computers to do it all. much like the end of I-robot! they are going to be a bitter disappointment. and people will have to go back to doing the work.
gloria says
This sounds so dangerous, for the truckers as well as the everyday drivers going to work, vacation, and visiting grandparents. I think they have something like that in place already they are called “TRAINS” If a mini van , car, pick-up wanted to follow or ride along side a train, they would. Come on now , Is a 10% savings on fuel that much of a savings when it come to the safety of a person’s life. Re-think this. It may a member of your family that may loose his/her live due to this v2v idea. gloria
Jim houser says
When you have drivers that work together constantly to know each other’s driving habits very well This can be done safely and simply. my brothers and I run together often it helps you get down the road. and because running like this requires Vigilance we actually find we are more attentive to the job
Joe Skeptical says
When a four wheeler cuts into the dozen yard gap, then what?
Rheum Trucker says
I agree Jim, in certain situations it can be done. For me personally though, part of the reason I drive is for the scenery. As an oo, the value of preference is a reality. However I do get tired of seeing the multitude of negative comments that permeate this site. It doesn’t matter what the article is about, someone will find negativity in it lol. Thanks for your input!
Steve Bell says
Coming soon to a highway near you….share the road with a train….fewer drivers….and everybody hates them…
frankie says
Oh yeah. And have we forgotten about, let’s see…construction, traffic, idiot 4 wheelers and all the rest of the morons that are on the road today. Oh and lets not forget the millions of illegals that are driving like they’re back home. Killing citizens left and right. Sure this will work great. HAAAAAHAAAAA! Now i wont be that cynical, I can see this work on lets say….THE AUTOBAHN. Or maybe the moon. Or even the Salt Flats. GOOD LUCK V2V
sudon't says
Haven’t you seen the movie “Convoy?” You just blast through all that mess at 90 mph.
Eddie says
That’s just what we need on the roads is a long line of trucks and some idiot 4 wheeler in the left lane running 0ne mile per hour faster than the trucks.
Bruce says
I think they should have Swift test it out, but give everybody a heads up on there location.
AkRoadhound says
Hahaha! I’m former Swift and that’s HILIARIOUS! Only problem is, Swift has brain washed the EIGHT second rule into everyone. I used to run nose to tail b4 “trying out” Swift. Boy did I get in trouble!
Steven says
Except for the fact of convoy laws? Am I the only one that missed this?
sudon't says
I think that’s why they’re calling it “platooning.”
Ray says
One thing I don’t understand is why the lead truck should experience a decrease in fuel efficiency of 4.5%. I don’t see how it’s fuel efficiency should be any worse than if it was driving without the technology at a safe distance.
I understand you guys are concerned about safety, but the fact is we all put our lives in the hands of technology every day. I think the system could be made to work. I’m excited about it.
Joe Skeptical says
Go ahead, you first.
nick says
Ray they said it weird. the front truck see a 4.5% fuel savings is what they should say. because it reduces the drag for the front truck
Ray says
I still don’t get it.
“the front truck see a 4.5% fuel savings is what they should say. because it reduces the drag for the front truck”
This either means the front truck reduces the drag for the front truck, or the trucks behind the front truck reduces the drag for the front truck. Either way it makes no sense to me …
Samuel Barradas says
I don’t know how accurate their claims are, but this might help you understand where it’s coming from:
It sounds impossible, but improving the air flow BEHIND a truck can actually make the truck more aerodynamic, increasing fuel efficiency and savings. It’s the same idea as those tails you sometimes see on trailers. You can see a full explanation and a picture of how those work here: http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/04/03/truck_panels_what_do_they_do_explained_photos.html
Ray says
Thanks, that helps.
Rob S says
Potentially very dangerous making it unsafe or more dangerous for anyone to pass.
schooner427 says
Yes . Its the air flow behind the truck. Mayby you have seen those trailer tails, the funny looking additions to the back of some trailers . Aerodynamics can save an incredible amount of fuel. 10 percent of a 300 gallon tank = 30 gallons at
$3.82 I think is the natl avg. = $114.00 , multiply that by a carrier that has 100 trucks = 11400 dollars.
I’m not saying that this new system is the answer BUT, any way a driver or the design of a truck can increase fuel mileage it is benificial to the bottom line of any company. Fuel, is a major expense of any owner of 1 truck all the way to the owner of a major truck line.
Today the truck drivers job isn’t just to deliver freight. Its fuel savings as well as avings thru safe driving as well. Lawsuits can kill a company no matter how large it is.
gloria says
small amount for a person’s life
David says
Theses are cr england trucks. Great new technology. Soon these trucks will drive themselves
Paul says
Lets see now, 3 trailers in some states, now lets have a tailgating session??? Be real.
Russ Ingle says
Even if it was possible to do it safely, which I doubt, what about the four wheelers that just can can’t resist the urge to merge into traffic. Which most don’t understand the concept or much less know how to put this act into action even in the best of circumstances your asking for major trouble if they have to attempt this fairly simple maneuver into a line of trucks a quarter mile long.. Most of the time they just don’t adjust their speed in order to merge successfully .They do a half hearted job and and during their mostly life threatening opposition to successful merging they always resort to the blame game, ie: must be the truckers fault they can’t merge , they always resort to the bird finger as a response to their ineptness.
Eric says
I can see it now….. “Sorry officer, I wasnt tailgating….There is a computer in my truck that is making me drive like this”…….
Ray says
I wonder if there is really any difference between this and fully automated trucks. I suspect it won’t be long after we see this type of technology implemented that drivers start getting replaced all together.
Ed says
Well, I just can’t wait to try and pass a train of 5 trucks going 62 mph with my fully loaded reefer on a single lane highway. Especially at night, that’s gonna be a adrenaline rush I can tell you that. I just wonder why all the none sense crap which hinders us as drivers and forces us to spend extra money, comes from California? ?? From CARB to green tires to now V2V. I am yet to see something positive emerge from the state of California.
SMB says
So, isn’t this V2V company in California, where it’s illegal for trucks to go more than 55mph? That says a lot to me. I think that 36 feet between cars is unsafe, let alone in trucks!
Deborah L says
The trucks already put the brakes on with the On-Guard system whenever it sees a ghost such as the railing on a highway guardrail or a post on a bridge; now let’s compound that by 5 trucks reducing speed for the 1st truck seeing the guardrail, then the 2nd sees it and reduces speed after it has already slowed down because the 1st truck saw it, and on down the line of trucks, then what speed will they be running. It is already dangerous enough for drivers.