The 5G-LOGINNOV project will implement and deploy a Green Truck Initiative in Hamburg (Germany) using CAD/CAM & automatic trucks platooning based on 5G technological blocks. Implementing the Green Truck Initiative, the 5G-LOGINNOV project will be a catalyst for market opportunities build on 5G Core Technologies in the Logistics domains, thus being a pillar of economic development and business innovation and supporting the European Green Deal.
Truck Platooning represents the linking of two or more trucks in a convoy, using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems. These vehicles automatically maintain a set, close distance between each other when they are connected for certain parts of a journey, for instance on motorways. The truck at the head of the platoon acts as the leader, with the vehicles behind reacting and adapting to changes in its movement. In the first instance, drivers will remain in control at all times, so they can also decide to leave the platoon and drive independently.
The trucks are equipped with driver assistance systems both for longitudinal (acceleration and deceleration) and lateral (steering) motion control. The functional unit for longitudinal control is denoted as Platoon Vehicle Motion Controller (PVMC), the one for lateral control as Lane Keeping System (LKS). These control units are enhanced with an integrated self-monitoring component to detect malfunctions, e. g. a sensor failure or driving conditions that cannot be handled by the controller due to the actuation limits.
In a port area the high density platooning implies driving with distances between the platooning trucks that are significantly less than the legally required safety distance. Besides, the minimum possible distance between the trucks has to be adapted to the latency of the system. Since this distance depends on the current velocity of the trucks, it is transformed into a corresponding time headway value. German traffic regulations require a safety distance of 50 m for trucks travelling faster than 50 km/h. This yields a minimum time headway of thlegal=2.25𝑠 at nominal travelling speed of 80 km/h in the legal scope. For the platooning system at hand, a minimum possible time headway of 𝑡ℎ𝑝latoon =1𝑠 has been derived from system analysis in simulation and driving maneuvers on a test track.
In line with the European Green Deal, the 5G-LOGINNOV Green Truck Initiative aims to boost the economy through green technology, cut pollution and help to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. Implementing the Green Truck Initiative, the 5G-LOGINNOV project will be a catalyst for market opportunities build on 5G Core Technologies in the Logistics domains, thus being a pillar of economic development and business innovation and supporting the European Green Deal.
For further information on the 5G-LOGINNOV project, click here.
