Research projects within System of Cyber Physical Systems

5G V2X – Communication for Platooning

The project aimed at designing key enabling technology – inter-vehicular (V2X) communication protocols – for platooning, which is an emergent future smart mobility solution.

Summary

Truck platooning is linking of trucks on highways in convoy through connectivity. The truck at the head of the platoon acts as the leader, with the vehicles behind reacting and adapting to changes in its movement requiring little to no action from drivers. Platooning relies on vehicle-to-vehicle cooperation and cannot be implemented with the use of local vehicular sensors only – its performance is only achievable through V2X communications.

The project addressed the following societal needs:

Cleaner transport. Truck platooning lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. When trucks can drive close together, the air-drag friction is reduced significantly. According to the recent study by ERTICO, platooning can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 16 percent from the trailing vehicles and by up to 8 percent from the lead vehicle. Scania reports an averaged figure of 12 percent.

Safer transport. Platooning helps to improve safety since braking by the vehicles following the leading one is automatic and V2X communications delays are shorter than human reaction times. Moreover, wireless communications allow enabling braking of all the platoon vehicles almost instantly instead of reacting one by one what prevents rear-end collisions.

Efficient transport. Platooning optimises transportation by using roads more effectively, delivering goods faster and reducing traffic jams. In certain situations the driving range of vehicles can also be extended.

Project period:

January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020

Financier:

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research
ELLIT Excellence Center

Project leader:

Alexey Vinel

Department:

CERES