What is Truck “Platooning”?

Trucking companies are constantly exploring options to make their industry safer, increase freight efficiency, and reduce fuel consumption. One of these options, although not fully autonomous, takes a step toward clearing a path for autonomous vehicles in the trucking industry. It’s called “platooning,” and it has its supporters and detractors.

Platooning at a glance

Think of platooning as digitally tethered 18-wheelers driving in formation. Two or more trucks (or other heavy-duty vehicles) are linked in a convoy, using wireless communication, GPS, and sensor technologies. These vehicles don’t drive themselves, but rather they are autonomous in the way they communicate with each other. Once the trucks are electronically linked, they accelerate and brake together. This lets them follow each other at a close distance, acting like a train without tracks.

The lead truck is the engine, guiding the rest of the line, accelerating and braking for the rest. However, the other trucks still must steer their vehicles. Platooning technology allows these lines of vehicles to save on fuel by taking advantage of drag aerodynamics and to improve safety by reducing braking reaction time. Part of the aim of platooning is to reduce the amount of truck accidents.

A possible end goal of platooning, according to Martin Daum, the global chief executive of Daimler Trucks, is to allow the drivers in the back of the line to sleep while the front driver takes control. This could lead to massive increases in freight efficiency, as drivers could sleep in alternating shifts and create a round-the-clock transport system. Of course, this technology is not yet available, but it could be on the horizon.

As of early 2018, nine states have regulations allowing platooning—Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and our home state of Tennessee.

Many states have laws outlining how closely vehicles can follow each other on the road, typically called follow-too-closely (FTC) statutes. Platooning’s benefits lie specifically on trucks being able to keep the vehicles in close proximity, so platooning can run afoul of those laws in many states. Some states have revised their FTCs to allow platooning or, in Tennessee’s case, passed exemptions to the statute.

Any company that wants to platoon in Tennessee must first put in a request with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Safety for approval.

Platooning also has its detractors. Some truck drivers say they’re fine with being in the lead truck but would feel unsafe being in the rear trucks. They express concern over what might happen if the lead truck has to make an unexpected and sudden stop or if cargo fell off the first truck. How does platoon technology react to unforeseen situations? Drivers are unsure, wondering if accidents would lead to large, perhaps-fatal pileups with that many trucks involved.

When a tractor-trailer crash leaves you or a loved one injured, you need assistance from a skilled truck accident attorney. The law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC is ready to help. We proudly serve the residents of Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Call us today at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation with our experienced team.