As fleets and transportation companies try to figure out the best way to save on fuel without negatively impacting efficiency, platooning has become an increasingly attractive option. Yet, platooning technology has evolved quite a bit over the last several years. Trucking companies today can invest in platooning technology that takes different makes and models of trucks into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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For trucking\ncompanies<\/a> trying to make the most of available technologies, platooning is\nan attractive option, but there are still some barriers to entry. What is a\nmotor carrier to do if they are looking to invest in a platooning technology\nthey can count on? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to active safety systems being offered and installed\non new tractor trailers, trucks \u2013 on a per-mile basis \u2013 are very safe compared\nto even just a few years ago. A comprehensive and proven platooning system\nshould be able to build on current active safety technologies, rather than\nreplace them. Proven technologies should be able to integrate technologies\nalready in use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Invest in Proven\nTechnology <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Companies manufacturing platooning software solutions in\nsome cases now require that certain active safety technologies are included in\nthe initial vehicle build. One example of this is air disc brakes. While Air\ndisc brakes may seem like old news these days, motor carriers looking to invest\nin a platooning situation \u2013 in many cases \u2013 must have air disc brakes\ninstalled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also important to ensure you are properly supervising\nthe rollout of a platooning program. Consider it from the perspective of the\nroute your truck drivers will be running. If you try to develop a platoon\nprogram for every type of road, you will be working on it for a very long time.\nIf you are going to use a platoon solution, doing so on a route that has\nfamiliarity prevents unnecessary risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many platoon providers offer their services through a cloud\nnetwork and vehicle checks. If a vehicle is driving in inclement weather or\nthrough a construction zone, many systems will not function. Vehicles using\nthese new technologies will generally only be allowed to operate in controlled\naccess situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The way this works in real-time is actually quite\nincredible. As one example, if wiper usage or stability-control is active, the\nsystem can dissolve the platoon and the truck driver then takes over. Many\nplatooning providers only offer these functions with two-truck platoons, but it\nwill likely be rolled out to larger fleets over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most important aspects of a successful platooning\nprogram is benchmarks. While modern trucks with active safety systems are far\nsafer than those without, when trucks are platooning, it requires a special set\nof instructions. The question is, when a truck driver decides to turn the\nplatoon system on, is he or she safer than they were before they hit the\nbutton?<\/p>\n\n\n\n When trucks are in a platooning configuration, the system\nmanaging that platoon must be able to provide a greater level of safety than that\nof a truck driver themselves. What kind of functionality does the system offer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assessing\nFunctionality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A connected platooning system should do several things. One,\ndoes it have a direct vehicle-to-vehicle connected braking system? Advanced\nplatooning systems should use an industry-standard digital short-range\ncommunication system to provide acceleration and braking functionality to all\nvehicles within the group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to proper braking and following distance, there is a certain perception delay that needs to be accounted for. The typical braking sequence follows a perception\/reaction\/braking model. Yet, that is where humans are concerned. Effective platooning systems should be able to eliminate any reaction delay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Platooning systems should also use active radar and camera\nsystems to monitor traffic in front of the lead truck. If a car cuts off the\nlead truck, the system should dissolve the platoon and separate the vehicles to\na safe distance. The point is this: The system should change the paradigm\nbefore a situation occurs that requires hard braking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Truck drivers themselves should also be able to dissolve a\nplatoon. If a truck driver chooses to dissolve a platoon, the system should\nincrease the gap between the trucks in the platoon until a safe distance is\nachieved. Once the safe distance is achieved, the truck driver should be able\nto take control using the brake and accelerator pedal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Advanced platooning technologies should also recognize a\ncut-in threat before the truck driver and dissolve the platoon. They do this by\nusing a forward-facing video feed from a camera on the lead truck. Both the\nplatoon system and the truck drivers can see other vehicles, hazards, road\nfeatures, and more. When truck drivers in the platoon need to communicate with\neach other, a hands-free solution can be installed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One question remains: How secure are these systems? Can\nhackers take control of the platoon by gaining access to the underlying\nsoftware? If a platoon system encounters some type of jamming or signal\nspoofing, it will immediately dissolve the platoon and notify the truck driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To ensure the system meets the requirements for\nimplementation, many OEMs rely on ISO 26262, which provides an\ninternationally-recognized standard for hardware and software safety. As\nplatooning systems are developed all over the world, a common standard must be\napplied to ensure safety no matter the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also important to consider that trucks have different\ncapabilities. No two trucks brake the same or accelerate the same. From\nwheelbase to cargo and more, trucks are unique. That\u2019s why truck drivers are\nalways instructed to leave a large distance between them and the truck in front\nof them, even if this is not always applied in real life. Platooning systems\nare designed to take the differences between vehicles into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s About the Truck\nDriver<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what system you choose, it is critical that truck\ndrivers are involved in the process every step of the way. From test drivers to\nthose actually using the system on the road, human feedback is critical to\nensuring the system functions properly and safely. Comprehensive platooning\nsystems should come with a training program to teach truck drivers on how to\nsafely drive in a platoon of trucks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A platoon requires approval from both truck drivers. Before\na platoon can be initiated, the lead truck driver needs to take a close look at\nroad conditions based on the training they received. If road conditions merit,\nthey can send an all-clear and set up the platoon. If a platoon needs to be\nended, either driver can end it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Collaboration is key in a platoon, but it is also key in\ndeveloping the technology. Platoon software and hardware makers must partner\nwith industry and government to ensure the vehicle components being produced\nare compatible with platooning technologies. Systems must be evaluated for\nsafety, track and road testing, interface development and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Manufacturers are embracing industry standard test methods\nto fully validate these systems. They do not release a new system without\nputting it through extensive track and in-lab testing. The last thing anyone\nwants to do is release a platooning system that results in an accident or\nunsafe conditions. The fact is, there are big safety benefits to platooning.\nAdditionally, platooning saves time, money, fuel, and truck driver frustration.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Big truck manufacturers are also getting in on the\nplatooning game. Many have come out with proof of concept<\/a> videos\nwhere they demonstrate how the technology works. As OEMs partner with companies\ncreating the platoon systems, the technology will quickly mature. Still, not\nevery truck manufacturer is convinced that platooning has a future in trucking.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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