Automated Truck Platoon Control and Field Test

Abstract

This chapter presents the results of experiments on coordinated automatic longitudinal control of a platoon of three Class 8 tractor-trailer trucks, using 5.9 GHz DSRC with 100 ms update intervals for coordination. The trucks were tested not only in constant-speed cruising conditions, but also through acceleration and deceleration profiles, up and down grades, and in platoon join and split maneuvers using the DSRC coordination. These tests showed good vehicle following accuracy, ride quality and platoon stability. The desired gaps between the trucks were varied between 10 and 4 m to evaluate the effects of aerodynamic drag reductions on fuel savings. The most complete set of drag data, at the 6 m gap, shows fuel savings of about 4–5 % for the lead truck and in the range of 10–14 % for the following trucks. The effects of platoon gap variations between 10 and 4 m were more difficult to determine with certainty because strong ambient winds during those tests led to large differences in the results depending on the truck direction of travel, but the results imply a significant potential for larger savings at the shorter gaps.