Platooning represents a significant advancement in land transportation technology, enabling multiple vehicles to travel closely together at high speeds, controlled by automated driving systems and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. This technology involves forming a convoy of vehicles, typically trucks, where the lead vehicle is manually driven, and the following vehicles are autonomously controlled to maintain close distances and synchronized movements (Balador et al., 2022).
Platooning is particularly relevant for both freight and passenger vehicles due to its potential to enhance efficiency, safety, and reduce operational costs. In freight transport, platooning allows trucks to travel in closely spaced formations, reducing aerodynamic drag and, consequently, fuel consumption. Studies have shown that platooning can lead to fuel savings of up to 10% for trailing vehicles and 5% for the lead vehicle, translating into significant cost reductions for logistics companies (NACFE, 2018).
Thus, the technological benefits of platooning include improved fuel efficiency, enhanced safety, and increased road capacity. By reducing aerodynamic drag, platooning significantly lowers fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to more sustainable transportation practices. The synchronized movements of platooned vehicles reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by sudden braking or lane changes, enhancing overall road safety. Furthermore, platooning increases road capacity by allowing vehicles to travel closer together, potentially alleviating traffic congestion in urban areas (Mushtaq et al., 2021).
However, platooning also faces several challenges and limitations. These include the need for reliable V2V communication systems, regulatory and legal hurdles, and the requirement for consistent road infrastructure to support automated driving technologies (Ahangar et al., 2021).
Platooning: scientific publications
The visualization clearly indicates that scientific research on platooning has gained substantial momentum over the past decade, especially from 2018 onwards. The exponential growth in publications reflects the increasing recognition of platooning as a viable and beneficial technology for the future of land transportation. Continued research and development in this area are expected to further enhance the feasibility and implementation of platooning systems on a wider scale. Primary research topics in platooning have included advancements in V2V communication technologies, the development of robust control algorithms, and the assessment of platooning's impact on traffic dynamics and fuel efficiency. Researchers are also exploring the integration of platooning with other intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to create more cohesive and efficient road networks.
The visualization highlights the number of scientific publications related to platooning in land transportation, with the United States, China, and Germany leading the research efforts.
The United States leads in platooning research, with over 600 documents published. This significant output is driven by the country's robust research infrastructure, substantial funding, and active participation of major automotive and technology companies. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has been a major proponent of autonomous vehicle research, including platooning.
China ranks second in the number of publications, reflecting its strategic focus on intelligent transportation systems and substantial investments in automotive innovations. The Chinese government has outlined ambitious goals in its national strategies, such as the "Made in China 2025" plan, which emphasizes the development of smart and autonomous vehicles.
Germany is the third most prolific country in terms of platooning research publications. Known for its strong automotive industry, Germany’s research efforts in platooning are driven by major automotive manufacturers like Daimler, BMW, and Volkswagen, as well as research institutions. The German government's "High-Tech Strategy 2025" includes autonomous driving as a key area of focus, promoting innovation through various funding programs (BMWK, 2024).
Platooning: patent data
Patent activities related to platooning have been increasing, reflecting the growing interest and investment in this technology. Major automotive and technology companies are actively filing patents for various aspects of platooning, including V2V communication protocols, control systems, and safety mechanisms. Between 2014 and 2023, the number of published patent families per year has increased from 166 to 1024. However, patent family publications have declined in the most recent years after reaching a peak of 1376 in 2020.
On a country level, the US is the top research country in terms of published platooning patent families (3074 patent families between 2000 and 2023). Japan, Germany and China are other leading research countries in the field.
Platooning: patent examples
A recent development from DAF (US10948928B2) relates to a method for autonomously guiding motor vehicles in a platooning formation, using steering and headway controllers coupled with lateral and front distance control systems. It involves dual lane side detectors, which could be 2D or 3D laser scanners or integrated cameras in modified side mirrors, providing image data to maintain vehicle alignment and proximity to the leading vehicle. Additionally, these systems are capable of complex tasks such as arbitrating between lateral distance, a pre-set forward look-ahead point, and data from other sensors such as radar for comprehensive vehicle steering and navigation control.
Another recent invention from GM (US2023316914A1) provides further insights on how platooning can be considered in the future. The invention outlines a method for providing platooning information via a multi-focal plane augmented reality (AR) display in a host vehicle. It involves receiving data from multiple remote vehicles in a platoon, including their locations, trajectories, and headways. The method determines if the platoon is within a set distance from the host vehicle and then transmits a command to the AR display to show a virtual image that represents a platooning action. This innovative approach leverages augmented reality to improve safety and efficiency in vehicular platooning.
Recent developments in platooning include several pilot projects and real-world trials. For instance, in Europe, the EU-funded ENSEMBLE project aims to demonstrate multi-brand truck platooning on public roads, highlighting the interoperability of platooning technologies across different manufacturers (Cordis, 2023).
Despite these advancements, the practical implementation and commercialization of platooning have faced challenges. Issues such as the need for reliable V2V communication, regulatory and legal hurdles, and the requirement for consistent infrastructure have slowed down widespread adoption. Moreover, recent setbacks and the shifting focus of some companies have led to concerns about the viability of platooning in the near term.