Semi-autonomous truck convoys will hit UK highways by the end of 2018

workhouse

Small groups of semi-autonomous trucks will be tested on major highways in the UK by the end of 2018.

According to the UK government, Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been awarded a contract to test vehicle convoys. These convoys, consisting of up to three trucks, will be traveling in formation, with the leading truck controlling breaking and acceleration.

At first, the tests will be done on test tracks, but before 2018 ends, we can expect these truck convoys to hit the motorways.

The leading vehicle will be controlled by a human driver. Humans will also control the steering in trucks behind -- just not acceleration and breaking.

One of the reasons for these tests is to see if there is a way to lower emissions and costs. If the trucks drive close together, the front one will push air out of the way, making the two behind spend less.

Transport Minister Paul Maynard said the idea could later be passed onto consumers.

However, not everyone agrees with the idea. Edmund King, president of the AA, thinks this project is not fit for the UK.

"We all want to promote fuel efficiency and reduce congestion but we are not yet convinced that lorry platooning [truck convoying] on UK highways is the way to go about it," he said, pointing out, for example, that small convoys of lorries can block road signs from the view of other road users.

"We have some of the busiest motorways in Europe with many more exits and entries. Platooning may work on the miles of deserted freeways in Arizona or Nevada but this is not America," he added.

Published under license from ITProPortal.com, a Future plc Publication. All rights reserved.