German carmaker Daimler is to run a pilot with platooning on public roads in America. In its own words, this makes them the first commercial party in the US.
Platooning links trucks together by means of a wifi connection, allowing them to drive in a column. By driving close together, air resistance and thus fuel consumption is reduced. Braking they do almost simultaneously, due to the Wi-Fi connection they are in contact with. Only the first truck needs a driver as a result.
Platooning is often put forward as an eco-friendly solution against the many emissions from trucks: among other things, the technique is said to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to 10%. So far, the technology has not been tested on public roads in America; in Europe, it is already being experimented with by Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and DAF, among others.
Public road
Daimler wants to conduct research mainly from a commercial point of view: the impact on various aspects such as shipping, driver training and logistics will be closely monitored. It is not the first technological development Daimler is investing in: worldwide, Daimler has already connected 500,000 trucks to the Internet of Things.
Daimler was already carrying out trials at its test site in Madras, Oregon, but has now received permission from the government to also drive in a caravan on public roads in Oregon and Nevada. The test now being conducted on public roads will be done with two trucks. To allow more trucks to drive together, US laws will have to be changed.
