FMCSA demos platooning this week
CENTREVILLE, VA – The United States Federal Highway Administration (FMCSA), in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation, is culminating a four-year research project by taking a major leap forward this week.
The groups will be demonstrating three-truck platooning on highway I-66 for two days September 14 and 15.
The Partially Automated Truck Platooning (PATP) technology is based on Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC), and is being used in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts to improve efficiency in road transportation in innovative ways.
The cutting-edge technology offers fleets the potential to improve efficiency and cut costs by connecting vehicles, which allows trucks to follow each other more closely by using automated control of speed and spacing.
Drivers in each truck will continue to steer the vehicle, while the Level 1 driver assistance automation controls acceleration and deceleration, braking, and sends the driver alerts in case of dangerous situations. These features will allow the three trucks to travel closer together than would be considered safe without CCAC.
The FMCSA will also showcase new truck inspection and safety screening tools during the demonstration.
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