1. Next Step Meeting EU Truck Platooning Challenge
Evaluation Challenge
&
Building Blocks
Next Step Meeting EU Truck Platooning Challenge
Glasgow, 6 June 2016
Loes Aarts & Tom Alkim
Rijkswaterstaat

2. Given the course of the Challenge for the Netherlands we did not notice any obstructions for platooning on our highways (for 2 and 3 truck platoons)
So, green light for long term and large scale initiatives (in NL), but…
Boundary conditions need to be discussed
Current infrastructure is a given

3. Merging fragment

8. Expected risks In 19 exemptions
Higher chance on accidents/disturbance of the traffic flow because of the behaviour of the truck platoon as one vehicle entity
Increased road/bridge wear and tear because of the truck platoon as one vehicle entity
Limitations of the platooning system in complex traffic situations
A truck driver unfamiliar with the platooning system does not know how to deal with the transition of control
Failure of the system in specific infrastructural situations: tunnels, slopes and curves
Expected risks
In 19 exemptions

9. Higher chance on accidents / disturbance of the traffic flow because of the behaviour of the truck platoon as one vehicle entity
Mitigating the expected risks in the exemption and code of practice:
Requirements on the recognisability of the truck platoon
Decoupling at on- and off ramps
Restrictions/advise on specific manoeuvres
Prescribed following distance
Maximum speed
Expected risk 1

10. Interviews
Driving in a platoon means being part of one entity -> lead truck driver feels responsible for the whole platoon
Drivers are inclined to keep the platoon together
Interaction of platoon with other trucks more complicated than interaction with cars
maximum speed is determining factor for the number of overtaking manoeuvres of single trucks
speed limit tolerance to reform platoon
findings

11. findings Aerial footage
Keeping the platoon together not possible all the time
intended decoupling at on- and off ramps to allow other traffic to merge
automated decoupling when other traffic cuts in causing the following trucks to “fall back”
At headways > 1.0 other traffic (even trucks) is inclined to merge in a platoon and initiate decoupling
Overtaking of platoons seemed to occur more than overtaking normal trucks
findings

12. Increased road/bridge wear and tear because of the truck platoon as one vehicle entity
Mitigating the expected risks in the exemption and code of practice
Restrictions to the maximum weight of the load and the division of the load
Decouple at bridges
No findings from interviews and aerial footage
Expected risk - 2

13. Limitations of the platooning system in complex traffic situations
A truck driver unfamiliar with the platooning system does not know how to deal with the transition of control
Mitigating the expected risks in the exemption and code of practice
Decouple in complex traffic situations:
motorway junctions
traffic density
traffic jams
(mobile) road works
weather conditions,
requirements on the truck driver
prescribed following distance
Expected risk - 3

14. Interviews
Drivers decouple at complex traffic situations on their own initiative, even if not required  
The platooning support systems were functioning very well, the driving task does not become easier nor more difficult: the driver task changes and asks for other competences
Effectivity of truck platooning concept decreases with many on- and off ramps
Following distance of 0.5 s is better to keep truck platoon intact.
Following distance of 0.8 s and up makes merging and overtaking manoeuvres more frequent.
Aerial footage:
no complex traffic situations involving traffic jams, road works, or adverse weather conditions were observed
findings

15. Failure of the system in specific infrastructural situations: tunnels, slopes and curves
Mitigating the expected risks in the exemption and code of practice
Decouple at
tunnels,
x gradient values
x radius values of curves
No findings from interviews and aerial footage
Expected risk - 4

16. Benefits Traffic safety Throughput Fuel savings Reducing emissions
Labour costs
In general, the expected benefits of platooning will materialize more, the longer uninterrupted platooning can take place
Benefits

17. Elements of truck platooning concept can’t be changed or are difficult to change when crossing borders:
Driver
Recognisability features of the truck platoon
Load
(Settings of) the system
From a traffic safety perspective priority to deal with these issues in order to facilitate cross border, multi brand platooning
Building Blocks

18. Thank you for your attention