United States Department of Transportation
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Edition:Final Report 18-01
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Abstract:Heavy truck platooning has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 10% while improving safety. Truck platooning has been successfully demonstrated on test vehicles by several developers in the U.S. This project investigated heavy truck platooning technology readiness; projected commercialization timeframe; fleet knowledge of, interest in, and estimated timeframe for deploying the technology; and the potential policy solutions to address barriers that will enable safe truck platooning in New York State (NYS). Data were collected via literature review and interviews with industry experts, including platooning technology developers, heavy truck manufacturers, third-party technology analysts, fleet end users, and NYS roadway operators. Most platooning system providers agree that the technology itself will be ready in the near future with initial productions in the 2017-2018 timeframe, but regulatory development will delay widespread deployment. No specific federal policies or regulations prohibit the use, operation, or deployment of platooning technologies for light or heavy-duty vehicles. The U.S. Congress introduced separate bills related to automated vehicles. Under both bills, states retained the authority to set rules on registration, licensing, liability, insurance, and safety inspections, but not performance standards. Neither bill included provisions for the heavy-duty truck classes covered by this study. State level rule changes may be required to allow initial testing and, eventually, platooning on specific roadways. Two existing NYS laws were identified that negatively impact near-term heavy-duty truck platooning use in NYS: 1) the requirement for at least one hand on the steering wheel at all times- and 2) the minimum following distance regulations. Potential policy solutions to these issues, and others identified in the project, are described along with legislative wording and references to how other states have addressed these topics.
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