Challenges of Platooning on Public Motorways

Abstract

Road-trains or platoons present a significant opportunity to both improve traffic efficiency and to improve the efficiency and safety of vehicles within the platoon. However, for platoons to be viable there should be minimal impact on supporting infrastructure which implies that platoons will operate on unmodified public motorways. The European Commission FP7 co-funded SARTRE project aims to examine issues for allowing platoons to operate on public motorways under these conditions. This paper discusses the SARTRE concept of platoons and the associated challenges such as interaction with other road users. Descriptions of core concept and definitions are made. Initial simulations are described and presented. A brief overview of the communication system is made.