Truck Platooning at TTI
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Saving Lives, Time and Resources tti.tamu.edu Why Truck Platooning? Besides driver compensation, the largest oper- ating expense for a line-haul truck is fuel. At 65 miles per hour, each truck expends about 65 percent of its fuel consumption to overcome aerodynamic drag. Currently, many large- and small-fleet operators use various techniques and technologies to gain 1 to 2 percent fuel effi- ciency. Research suggests that truck platooning can provide 5–20 percent fuel savings, as well as offer other benefits (e.g., emission reductions, additional vehicle safety features and increased highway throughput). COMMERCIAL TRUCK PLATOONING: LEVEL 2 AUTOMATION (PHASE 1) Project Partnerships and Focus e research team represents a public-private partnership (PPP) of government agencies, national labs, truck manufacturers and equip- ment suppliers, many of which have com- mitted in-kind resources such as equipment, engineering services, intellectual property and funding. e project focuses on the feasibility of deploying two-vehicle truck platoons utiliz- ing Level 2 automation on specific corridors in Texas within 5 to 10 years. What is Truck Platooning? Level 2 truck platooning extends radar and vehicle-to-vehicle, communications-based, cooperative- adaptive cruise control using precise automated lateral and longitudinal vehicle control to maintain a tight formation of vehicles with short following distances. A manually driven truck leads a platoon, allowing the driver(s) of the following truck(s) to disengage from driving tasks and monitor system performance. Level 1 truck platooning has demonstrated the potential for significant fuel savings, enhanced mobility and associated emissions reductions from platooning vehicles. Level 2 automation may increase these benefits while reducing driver workload and increasing safety. T he Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is funding a comprehensive truck platooning demonstration in Texas. This project represents a proactive effort in assessing innovative operational strategies for the Texas freight network. TRUCK PLATOONING BENEFITS SAFETY. By reducing the number of drivers making decisions, the incidence of driver error decreases, thus increasing roadway safety for others. ECONOMICAL. Projected fuel savings of around 12 percent can drive transportation costs down, and that results in reduced prices at the grocery store. ENVIRONMENTAL. With reduced drag on both trucks, fuel efficiency increases, bringing down carbon monoxide and other pollutants. MOBILITY. At 30-50 percent market penetration rate and with all trucks forming two-truck platoons, throughput increases by 6-8 percent in nearly congested conditions.
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Transcript of Truck Platooning at TTI
Saving Lives, Time and Resources tti.tamu.edu
Why Truck Platooning?Besides driver compensation, the largest oper-ating expense for a line-haul truck is fuel. At 65 miles per hour, each truck expends about 65 percent of its fuel consumption to overcome aerodynamic drag. Currently, many large- and small-fleet operators use various techniques and technologies to gain 1 to 2 percent fuel effi-ciency. Research suggests that truck platooning can provide 5–20 percent fuel savings, as well as offer other benefits (e.g., emission reductions, additional vehicle safety features and increased highway throughput).
COMMERCIAL TRUCK PLATOONING: LEVEL 2 AUTOMATION (PHASE 1)
Project Partnerships and FocusThe research team represents a public-private partnership (PPP) of government agencies, national labs, truck manufacturers and equip-ment suppliers, many of which have com-mitted in-kind resources such as equipment, engineering services, intellectual property and funding. The project focuses on the feasibility of deploying two-vehicle truck platoons utiliz-ing Level 2 automation on specific corridors in Texas within 5 to 10 years.
What is Truck Platooning?Level 2 truck platooning extends radar and vehicle-to-vehicle, communications-based, cooperative-adaptive cruise control using precise automated lateral and longitudinal vehicle control to maintain a tight formation of vehicles with short following distances. A manually driven truck leads a platoon, allowing the driver(s) of the following truck(s) to disengage from driving tasks and monitor system performance. Level 1 truck platooning has demonstrated the potential for significant fuel savings, enhanced mobility and associated emissions reductions from platooning vehicles. Level 2 automation may increase these benefits while reducing driver workload and increasing safety.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is funding a comprehensive truck platooning demonstration in Texas. This project represents a proactive effort in
assessing innovative operational strategies for the Texas freight network.
TRUCK PLATOONING BENEFITS
SAFETY. By reducing the number of drivers making decisions,
the incidence of driver error decreases, thus increasing roadway safety for others.
ECONOMICAL. Projected fuel savings of around 12 percent can drive
transportation costs down, and that results in reduced prices at the grocery store.
ENVIRONMENTAL. With reduced drag on both trucks, fuel efficiency increases,
bringing down carbon monoxide and other pollutants.
MOBILITY. At 30-50 percent market penetration rate and with all trucks forming
two-truck platoons, throughput increases by 6-8 percent in nearly congested conditions.
Project OverviewWith funding from TxDOT’s innovative research program and PPPs, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) created a first-of-its-kind comprehensive freight platooning demonstration in Texas. Building upon other platooning research, the TTI team will strive to demonstrate the potential safety and mobility benefits, fuel savings, and emission reductions possible by extending vehicle auto-mation to freight truck platoons. The project is planned in three phases:
• Phase 1 (completed): Conduct a feasibil-ity planning study and proof-of-concept demonstration.
• Phase 2 (ongoing): Develop the concept of operations and requirements for the design and vehicle system; enhance system functionality and reliability; and develop the Phase 3 implementation plan and deployment guidance.
• Phase 3 (planned): Deploy a commercial truck-platooning application in Texas.
Project OutcomeIn Phase 1, the TTI team documented les-sons learned from past platooning projects; identified potential regulatory or legislative roadblocks to introducing platooning into commercial fleet operations; and explored potential implementation scenarios given the existing infrastructure and operational environment. On July 22, 2016, the TTI team successfully demonstrated a proof-of-concept of the platooning technology.
Begun November 1, 2016, Phase 2 will transi-tion the proof-of-concept to a plan for safely, reliably deploying platooning on a commercial operator’s fleet in Phase 3. To demonstrate real-world viability, the TTI-led team will test the system in one or more field pilot dem-onstrations and/or in controlled, open-road scenarios. Researchers will assess the impact of platooning on TxDOT’s infrastructure and operations by researching critical issues like geometric and traffic operations impacts, while providing necessary outreach and train-ing related to truck platooning. Besides draft-
To solve transportation problems through research,
to transfer technology and to develop diverse human resources
to meet the transportation challenges of tomorrow.
TTI’s Mission
TTI1761.0417
Michael LukucPrincipal InvestigatorProgram Manager, Connected and Automated TransportationSystem Reliability DivisionTexas A&M Transportation InstituteCollege Station, TX 77843-3135(979) [email protected]://tti.tamu.edu
Beverly Kuhn, Ph.D., P.E.Co-Principal InvestigatorDivision Head, System Reliability DivisionTexas A&M Transportation InstituteCollege Station, TX 77843-3135(979) [email protected]://tti.tamu.edu
Contacts
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute, established in 1950, seeks solutions to the problems and chal-lenges facing all modes of transpor-tation — surface, air, pipeline, water and rail. The Institute works with nearly 200 sponsors in the United States and abroad at all levels of government and in the private sector and is recognized as one of the finest higher-education-affiliated transpor-tation research agencies in the nation. TTI has saved the state and nation billions of dollars through strategies and products developed through its research program. TTI research has a proven impact — resulting in lives, time and resources saved.
About TTI
ing a Phase 3 deployment plan, the team will also develop near-term guidance for TxDOT and other stakeholders to prepare Texas for deploying truck platooning on key facilities across the TxDOT freight network.
