The Netherlands has initiated the European Truck Platooning Challenge, a world first cross border project involving smart, semi-autonomous trucks, set to begin on April 6th.
Participating manufacturers include DAF Trucks, Iveco, Daimler Trucks, MAN Truck and Bus, Volvo Group, and Scania.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), manufacturers will bring platoons of their semi-autonomous trucks to a variety of public roads such as Europe’s ITS corridors, including Nordic Way, and the Rotterdam-Frankfurt-Vienna route.
Truck Platooning refers to the linking of two or more trucks in a convoy, in a manner whereby the trucks closely follow each other at a fixed distance of usually 10m-15m by means of connectivity technology and automated driving support systems.
This platooning is said to reduce fuel costs by decreasing aerodynamic drag.
