GREENSBORO, N.C., June 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Volvo Trucks
North America, together with FedEx and the North Carolina Turnpike
Authority, used advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technology
to conduct on-highway truck platooning as part of ongoing research
collaboration.
Volvo Trucks North America announced today the successful
on-highway demonstration of its truck platooning technology. The
company has been working closely with FedEx (NYSE: FDX) and the
North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) to expand on-highway
operations of Volvo's Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) in
the United States on N.C. 540, the
Triangle Expressway. This marks the first public on-highway
showcase of platooning technology between a major truck
manufacturer and a transportation company in the U.S.
"Volvo Trucks has long supported platooning because it benefits
freight companies and professional drivers alike through safer,
more fuel-efficient operations," said Per
Carlsson, Acting President of Volvo Trucks North America.
"We continue preparing for deployment of trucks with greater
vehicle-to-vehicle communication capabilities that support higher
levels of ADAS. We know these technologies will be part of our
future, but exact timing depends on many things, namely
regulations, infrastructure, safety standards, and market
demand."
The "platoon" consisted of three trained, professional truck
drivers in Volvo VNL tractors, each pulling double 28-foot
trailers. Through CACC, a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)
communication technology, the tractors and trailers remained in
constant communication. The tractors and trailers traveled at
speeds of up to 62 mph while keeping a time gap of 1.5 seconds,
maintaining a closer distance than what is typical for on-highway
tractors. Staged and unplanned vehicle cut-ins demonstrated how the
technology handles common traffic situations.
"Volvo's V2V technology is based on Dedicated Short-Range
Communication (DSRC), which has proven its capability to perform
well in the V2V environment," said Keith Brandis Volvo Trucks
North America vice president for product planning. "Dedicated
bandwidth within the 5.9GHz spectrum is critical for the successful
deployment of V2V application, like truck platooning."
Today's demonstration is the result of an ongoing research
collaboration. Since April 2018,
three Volvo VNL tractors have been paired with various combinations
of FedEx trailers to simulate real-world routes and trailer loads
while traveling on N.C. 540. The potential benefits of platooning
that are being studied during this collaborative research include
faster responses to hard braking while maintaining safety and fuel
efficiency.
"FedEx was built on innovation and it continues to be an
integral part of the FedEx culture and business strategy," said
Gloria Boyland, Corporate Vice
President, Operations and Service Support, FedEx Corporation. "We
are pleased to collaborate with Volvo Trucks and the North Carolina
Turnpike Authority to learn more about how platooning technology
can benefit our team members while improving fuel efficiency for
our fleet."
The vehicle-to-vehicle communication system helps reduce the
reaction time for braking and enables vehicles to follow closer,
automatically matching each other's speed and braking. The advanced
technology is meant to serve as an aid – not a replacement – for
skilled professional truck drivers.
When trucks can drive closely behind one another, fuel
efficiency is improved as a result of reduced drag. Drag accounts
for up to 25 percent of a truck's total fuel consumption, and the
closer the trucks drive to each other, the greater the fuel-saving
potential. Reducing the traveling distance between vehicles also
allows for greater highway utilization, helping alleviate traffic
congestion.
"This collaboration demonstrates the Turnpike Authority's
commitment to invest in the safety of customers with state of the
art technology that could become an invaluable tool for
transportation," said NCTA Executive Director Beau Memory. "With some of the most advanced
roadways in the nation, the Turnpike Authority wants all drivers to
have every tool and technological advancement necessary to reach
their destination safely and efficiently."
N.C. 540, due to its proximity to Volvo Trucks' North American
headquarters and its designation as a proving ground for advanced
vehicle technology, is an excellent demonstration site for the
Volvo platooning technology, providing invaluable insights for all
parties involved in this process. N.C. 540 is one of 10 locations
around the country that the U.S. Department of Transportation has
designated for demonstrating advanced vehicle technologies, like
platooning, through research initiatives such as this one.
Volvo Trucks and FedEx plan to continue developing the Volvo
CACC technology on N.C. 540 into the foreseeable future with the
goal of continuing to learn about the potential benefits offered by
vehicle platooning. Additionally, this advanced testing will allow
the participants to adapt to the technological and regulatory
developments that will ultimately determine the commercial
viability of platooning technology in the
United States.
Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for
professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of
medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a
global network of 2,100 dealers and workshops in more than 130
countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 16 countries across the
globe. In 2017, more than 112,000 Volvo trucks were delivered
worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the
world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction
equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also
provides solutions for financing and service. Volvo's work is based
on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care.
For further information, please contact
Brandon Borgna, Volvo Trucks, phone
336-823-2687, email brandon.borgna@volvo.com
www.volvotrucks.us
www.volvotrucks.ca
www.volvotrucks.mx
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SOURCE Volvo Trucks North America