1
NEWS
Daimler trials platooning on US highways
Daimler Trucks North America has begun platooning trials of digitally connected trucks in Oregon and NevadaThe age of autonomous, digitally connected trucks driving in convoy is one step closer, with Daimler Trucks North America announcing it is holding platooning trials on public roads in the US.
The technology sees trucks driving in close proximity one after the other, reaping fuel economy rewards due to the reduced wind resistance the following truck is exposed to. The technology is also said to bring significant safety benefits, as human error is said to play a role in up to 94 per cent of road traffic accidents, according to US authorities.
Related reading:
The trial was announced at the North American Commercial Vehicles show, held in Atlanta from September 24 to 28, and follows on from extensive testing at DTNA's proving ground in Madras, Oregon.
Initial public trials are limited to 'pairing' – one tag truck following a lead truck – but the technology has the scope to encompass additional trucks in the future. DTNA has been using two Freightliner Cascadia prime movers with single trailers to carry out the tests, and the company says it hopes to begin conducting joint tests with fleet customers from next year.
Safer future
Roger Nielsen, President and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, said the technology has significant implications for road freight, especially in nations with long distances and quality highway networks.
"We see growing customer interest in platooning," he said.
"This technology stands for more efficiency and safety. Platooning technology is not meant to replace drivers – it's designed to help drivers. When the world is ready for platooning, DTNA will have a proven solution. Right now, we are driving Freightliners in platoons every day. I have personally driven one of our trucks in a connected mode. My experience has been impressive."
In recent years Daimler Trucks has been pioneering technologies on the fields of automated, connected and electrified driving with its truck brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and FUSO. Around the globe Daimler Trucks says it has already connected around 500,000 trucks to the internet of things – more than any other manufacturer.
To digitally connect its Freightliner Cascadia in the current tests in the US, Daimler combines connectivity with its experience in automated driving. Wi-Fi-based vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V) interacts with Freightliners Detroit Assurance 4.0 driver assistance systems featuring Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Assist and Active Brake Assist 4.
This technology offers fuel savings to the customer when two or more Freightliner trucks closely follow each other, lowering aerodynamic drag and adding safety, because V2V reaction times have dropped to about 0.2 or 0.3 seconds – while humans normally can respond not faster than one second. In the future automated and connected braking between lead vehicle and follower will prevent accidents, the company says.
Tags
Share this article
Written byTrucksales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a trucksales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayRelated articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Consent