Truck Platooning

Started by Hoofer, October 23, 2017, 06:55:05 AM

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Hoofer

Not a truck driver myself, but... I've drafted a few over the years, it was dangerous, BUT, have to admit, it was saving gas and pretty interesting.

This takes it to a whole new level - yeah, we knew something like this was coming, it's paring two (and some day, more than two), trucks together, via a WI-FI link, the trucks are talking the whole time, saving 15% on fuel, and flying down the road a few dozen yards/feet apart at 70mph.   IMO - this is a BIG leap in trucking technology, these guys are not the dummies portrayed in Hollywood movies anymore, but dedicated, over-regulated guys & gals keeping our nation moving.  This kind of technology is BETTER and more practical than Autonomous trucks (driverless), and keep the human element in control of a large vehicle among the many dangerous, and unpredictable, smaller vehicles on the road.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/are-those-80000-pound-trucks-tailgating-each-other-soon-it-may-be-perfectly-normal--and-safe/2017/10/22/fbbbb0fa-a2de-11e7-b14f-f41773cd5a14_story.html?utm_term=.48ccb0cbc27b

QuoteAre those 80,000 pound trucks tailgating each other? Soon it may be perfectly normal — and safe

A wave of new technology intended to make trucks safer — using radar, cameras and reflective light scanning — is sweeping the industry. By next year, much of it may be combined to put pairs of trucks on the road at a distance that before would not have been possible or safe.
...
The pairing of tractor-trailers at a distance of 30 to 50 feet is called platooning.

...
A truck tucked in the slipstream of another tractor-trailer can save 10 percent on fuel. But the truck in front also will burn about 5 percent less fuel. Why? Part of the drag on a truck plowing into the wind is caused by turbulent air that tumbles off the top and sides of the trailer. When two trucks pair up closely, the air flows more smoothly from the first to the second, reducing that turbulence.

It's fuel savings for both drivers. Yes, drivers; self-driving trucks are said to be coming, but for now the prospect of 80,000-pound vehicles hurtling down the highway on their own is somewhere over the horizon.
..
"The world of automated vehicles still will have a key role for the drivers," Chris Spear, president of the American Trucking Associations, said at a recent Senate hearing. "We think drivers are still going to be in the seat."

But the role of the driver will evolve.

"I believe drivers will become more like airline pilots," said Troy Clarke, chief executive of the truck manufacturer Navistar, "even more trained and skilled than they are today."

It's really an interesting article, a good, short read.   I see this as just another technology to a constantly evolving industry, one that will benefit both Trucks -AND- cars ... yup, I think this is something that can also benefit CARS, using the same technology, while keeping the American love affair with the Automobile alive.

I'm really interested in input from Truck Drivers!   ...wonder if ATN will be talking about this stuff tonight?

Also wondering if it's possible to increase Truck speeds of paired trucks to 80 or 90mph, if the fuel savings would increase, decrease, etc., and if additional trucks, 4-5-6 digitally connected, would start reaching efficiency of Rail, but shorten delivery times.... creating even more competition among freight carriers?
All animals are created equal; Some just take longer to cook.   Survival is keeping an eye on those around you...

Solar

No thanks! Oh, and we always called it Drafting. :laugh:
This kills off the independent trucker, first of all, secondly, claiming fuel savings?
Screw that, let's bring down the cost of fuel so we don't have to suffer this nonsense.

I have zero use for this crap because the next thing you know, they'll write laws favoring the convoy over the individual driver.
So much wrong with this idea, mostly dealing with corporate entities, (Think Big Ag), to terror attacks on the highway.
What better way to jamb up an Interstate, than to derail a dozen truck convoy, trapping thousands of drivers as sitting ducks.

Nope, got no use for it.
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