Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania is set to lead a three-year European research project, COMPANION, to develop a new system for implementing truck platooning on roads.
Introducing platooning on European roads can significantly contribute towards reducing the carbon footprint of trucks.
COMPANION is a EUR5.4m project, of which EUR3.4m is funded by the EU's Seventh Framework Program.
The project also includes Volkswagen Group Research, Stockholm's Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, Oldenburger Institut für Informatik (OFFIS) in Germany, IDIADA Automotive Technology in Spain, Science (&) Corporation (S[&]T) in the Netherlands and the Spanish haulage company Transportes Cerezuela.
Under this program, the partners will identify means of implementing the platooning concept in practice in daily transport operations.
Haulage companies will be able to identify the optimal route with regard to fuel consumption, based on the transport assignment.
Drivers will receive information on where they can join and leave platoons using an integrated information system. The system will clearly describe available alternatives, taking into account such variables as weather conditions, the traffic situation and delivery schedules as well as the weight and speed of the truck combination.
The project will pay particular attention to how information is presented to drivers regarding where they can join and leave platoons.
