Energy-Efficient and Semi-automated Truck Platooning

This open access book presents research and evaluation results of the Austrian flagship project “Connecting Austria,” illustrating the wide range of research needs and questions that arise when semi-automated truck platooning is deployed in Austria. The work presented is introduced in the context of work in similar research areas around the world. This interdisciplinary research effort considers aspects of engineering, road-vehicle and infrastructure technologies, traffic management and optimization, traffic safety, and psychology, as well as potential economic effects. The book’s broad perspective means that readers interested in current and state-of-the-art methods and techniques for the realization of semi-automated driving and with either an engineering background or with a less technical background gain a comprehensive picture of this important subject. The contributors address many questions such as: Which maneuvers does a platoon typically have to carry out, and how? How can platoons be integrated seamlessly in the traffic flow without becoming an obstacle to individual road users? What trade-offs between system information (sensors, communication effort, etc.) and efficiency are realistic? How can intersections be passed by a platoon in an intelligent fashion? Consideration of diverse disciplines and highlighting their meaning for semi-automated truck platooning, together with the highlighting of necessary research and evaluation patterns to address such a broad task scientifically, makes Energy-Efficient and Semi-automated Truck Platooning a unique contribution with methods that can be extended and adapted beyond the geographical area of the research reported

Energy-Efficient and Semi-automated Truck Platooning

This open access book presents research and evaluation results of the Austrian flagship project “Connecting Austria,” illustrating the wide range of research needs and questions that arise when semi-automated truck platooning is deployed in Austria. The work presented is introduced in the context of work in similar research areas around the world. This interdisciplinary research effort considers aspects of engineering, road-vehicle and infrastructure technologies, traffic management and optimization, traffic safety, and psychology, as well as potential economic effects. The book’s broad perspective means that readers interested in current and state-of-the-art methods and techniques for the realization of semi-automated driving and with either an engineering background or with a less technical background gain a comprehensive picture of this important subject. The contributors address many questions such as: Which maneuvers does a platoon typically have to carry out, and how? How can platoons be integrated seamlessly in the traffic flow without becoming an obstacle to individual road users? What trade-offs between system information (sensors, communication effort, etc.) and efficiency are realistic? How can intersections be passed by a platoon in an intelligent fashion? Consideration of diverse disciplines and highlighting their meaning for semi-automated truck platooning, together with the highlighting of necessary research and evaluation patterns to address such a broad task scientifically, makes Energy-Efficient and Semi-automated Truck Platooning a unique contribution with methods that can be extended and adapted beyond the geographical area of the research reported

The operational and safety effects of heavy duty vehicles platooning

Abstract Although researchers have studied the effects of platooning, most of the work done so far has focused on fuel consumption. There are a few studies that have targeted the impact of platooning on the highway operations and safety. This thesis focuses on the impact of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) platooning on highway characteristics. Specifically, this study aims at evaluating the effects of platooning of HDVs on capacity, safety, and CO2 emissions. This study is based on a hypothetical model that was created using the VISSIM software. VISSIM is a powerful simulation software designed to mimic the field traffic flow conditions. For model validity, the model outputs were compared with recommended values from guidelines such as the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) (Transportation Research Board, 2016). VISSIM was used to obtain the simulation results regarding capacity. However, in addition to VISSIM, two other software packages were used to obtain outputs that cannot be assessed in VISSIM. MOVES and SSAM are two simulation software packages that were used for emission and safety metrics, respectively. Both software packages depended on input from VISSIM for analysis. It was found that with the presence of HDVs in the model, the capacity, the emission of CO2, and the safety of the roadway would improve positively. A capacity of 4200 PCE/h/ln could be achieved when there are enough HDVs in platoons. Furthermore, more than 3% of the traffic flow emission of CO2 reduction is possible when 100% of the HDVs used in the model are in platoons. In addition to that, a reduction of more than 75% of the total number of conflicts might be obtained. Furthermore, with the analysis of the full factorial method and the Design of Experiment (DOE) conducted by using Excel and Minitab respectively, it was possible to investigate the impact of the platoons’ factors on the highway parameters. Most of these factors affect the parameters significantly. However, the change in the desired speed was found to insignificantly affect the highway parameters, due to the high penetration rate. Keywords: VISSIM, MOVES, SSAM, COM-interface, HDVs, Platooning, Number of Conflict

External communication displays for connected truck platoons in mixed traffic : a federated simulator study

Truck platooning is anticipated to be the first widespread deployment of connected or automated vehicles (CAV). In addition to familiarizing the public with the function of CAV, a truck platoon has proven benefits to fuel consumption by minimizing drag. These are the primary motivations that have caused companies to develop and deploy these systems, but there are still obstacles opposing their implementation. One obstacle is the issue of communication between CAVs and the surrounding traffic. For example, research has shown that communication between CAV and pedestrians and cyclists is facilitated by using external status displays on the CAVs. In order to investigate the communication between truck platoons and surrounding traffic, a similar model is proposed in this study. The scenario examined in this study involves trucks forming a truck platoon. Two different external displays in addition to a control display were evaluated for how surrounding traffic behaves while the trucks form their platoon. The three displays are the control (no signal), the word "PLATOON," and a graphic of two trucks with a link. Each of the displays were tested using a federated truck simulator and passenger vehicle simulator. The approaching truck was driven by the same human driver up until the completion of platooning while the passenger vehicle was driven by the research participants. The simulation scenario involved a passenger vehicle following a semi-truck while an approaching truck comes up from behind the passenger vehicle to form the platoon. The actions taken by the passenger vehicle to clear the way for the approaching truck were observed and recorded. After the participants were exposed to the signs once, they were provided with an explanation of truck platoons and were able to ask questions before experiencing three displays scenarios again. Overall, the primary performance result was that the text display after being provided with information on truck platoons significantly changed the behavior of the passenger vehicle. Furthermore, as in the AV-Pedestrian studies, participants indicated that the external displays were useful. In conclusion, though the behavior was not drastically affected, the results indicate that the displays provide the passenger vehicle drivers with important information that they want to have and that drivers tend to move out of the way when they learn that a truck platoon is forming around them.by Michael SchoelzIncludes bibliographical reference

Operational and Infrastructure Readiness for Semi-Automated Truck Platoons on Rural Roads: Article

On highways, truck platooning may reduce fuel consumption, improve road safety and streamline trucking operations. However, most roads worldwide are two-way, two-lane rural roads, i.e., conditions for which truck platooning should be tested to explore the extent of those advantages. This paper reports findings from a field study undertaken in Northern Norway, testing a platoon of three semi-automated trucks on rural roads with tunnels, mountain passes and adverse geometries. Fleet management and distance data, videos, interviews and conversations between participants were used to assess whether platooning was feasible on such roads. The platooning system was used without interventions through most road conditions, and worked well on flat and wide roads with 90 km/h speed limits. However, it struggled in sharp horizontal curves, where the following trucks would speed up before regaining connection to their preceding truck and then brake abruptly to regain the prescribed distance. Moreover, steep uphills were problematic due to inconsistent gear shifting between the trucks. Seemingly, no fuel savings were achieved, due to excessive following distances and suboptimal speed profiles on crest curves. To obtain further insights into the benefits of truck platooning on rural roads, we suggest redoing the field study with V2V-communication, allowing for shorter following distances, and also performing a manual-driven baseline first

An analysis of possible socio-economic effects of a Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) in Europe

A Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) is likely to have significant impacts on our economy and society. It is expected that CCAM unveils new and unprecedented mobility opportunities that hold the potential to unlock a range of safety, environmental and efficiency benefits. At the same time, it is anticipated that it will bring deep changes in the labour market, progressively making some occupations and skills less relevant, while at the same time opening up new opportunities for different businesses and requiring new and more advanced skills. With Europe accounting for 23% of global motor vehicle production (Acea Statistics, 2016) and almost 72% of inland freight transported by road in Europe (European Commission, 2017a), the full deployment of Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies is expected to have a substantial impact on the European economy. The economic impacts of CAVs will go far beyond the automotive industry, into sectors like insurance, maintenance and repair or health, among others. While it is clear that CAVs could offer unique opportunities for value creation, it is also essential to acknowledge that they might imply a substantial transformation of our industries and our social and living systems. The study is aimed at analysing the value at stake for both industry and society as a result of a transition towards a CCAM mobility in Europe. It aims at identifying the economic sectors that are most likely to be affected by CCAM as well as the influencing factors driving future changes in each sector. The ultimate goal is to estimate ranges of potential effects for the main affected sectors, with the support of a set of scenarios. The study also aims at analysing the potential effects of CCAM on the workforce and pursues the identification of skills that need to be addressed in the mobility transition. The focus of the study is exclusively paid on road transport and covers both passenger and freight transport.JRC.C.4-Sustainable Transpor