Platooning occurs when vehicles group together in a column and drive as one. It’s not a new concept, trains have been doing it for hundreds of years. However, it’s a relatively new idea for trucks beyond the loose convoy approach, where vehicles just share a road and a destination, keeping each other company on the way. Now truck platooning is being taken to the next level with multiple vehicles, snaking as one through the traffic, close together, reaching destinations faster and more efficiently. And it’s thanks in part to NXP V2X tech.
Platooning’s proof of concept was shown in 2016, with six truck manufacturers each entering their own-brand platoon into the European Truck Platooning Challenge (ETPC). The successful challenge laid the groundwork for something even more impressive: ENSEMBLE, set to hit the roads in September 2021. For the first time, seven different truck brands will form a single platoon, after finding each other and joining together mid-journey, in real time with live traffic.
Talking trucks
Platooning works because trucks follow each other closely, at a constant speed, boosting traffic flow and reducing tailbacks, using less fuel and producing less CO2. For this to be possible, they need to communicate constantly, accurately and securely with each other directly. NXP’s V2X (802.11p) dedicated short range communication (DSRC) enables direct truck-to-truck communication, and plays a major role in the ENSEMBLE secure protocol.
Cross-border benefits
Later this year (September 2021) , a platoon will form in a public demonstration in Spain, taking a portion of a 100 km journey as one unit. The ENSEMBLE Platooning Support function will be performed, which will test for safety, driver assistance and traffic efficiency. The second level, ENSEMBLE Autonomous function, still in specification phase, will eventually test the platoon where only the lead truck needs a driver, with follower platoon trucks driving autonomously.
Successful delivery
Once the proven technology is adopted, there will still be regulation hurdles to overcome. “Safe distancing” in a platoon is, by definition, a lot shorter when V2X is handling the gaps. So, we may see trucks drive like trains in scheduled platoons running regular routes, or efficiency-seeking trucks joining up on the fly to drive major roads with cruise control. In either case, the technology at least is on track for success. So, watch the roads in September and check out the Hamburg ITS World Congress in October where the audience will experience ENSEMBLE for themselves.
For more information on ENSEMBLE, click here.
