In coordination with two different US DOT-sponsored research teams, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is launching a new data collection effort that seeks more detailed information on the likely costs and benefits associated with truck platooning. The survey seeks both truck driver and motor carrier input on the specific use scenarios and price points that might accrue from truck platooning, also known as driver-assistive truck platooning (DATP).
The DATP concept is based on a system that controls inter-vehicle spacing based on information from forward-looking radars and direct vehicle-to-vehicle communications. Braking and other operational data is constantly exchanged between the trucks, enabling the control system to automatically adjust engine and brakes in real time. This allows equipped trucks to travel closer together than manual operations would safely allow. Based on industry input, ATRI will conduct an empirical cost/benefit analysis to determine the degree to which truck platooning may be adopted in the trucking industry.
The online survey is available on ATRI’s website at www.atri-online.org and will be open through Dec. 8, 2014.
