We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Change Me
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Change Me
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Volvo Trucks, FedEx test platooning truck technology
newsworthy

Volvo Trucks, FedEx test platooning truck technology

June 27, 2018
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

Volvo Trucks North America and FedEx Corp. said today they conducted a demonstration in North Carolina of on-highway truck platooning, the first such demonstration of the technology between a major truck manufacturer and a transportation company in the U.S.

The platoon, which operated on N.C. Highway 540, also known as the Triangle," consisted of three truck drivers in Volvo VNL tractors each pulling double 28-foot trailers. Through wireless vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology, the tractors and trailers remained in constant communication. The vehicles traveled at speeds of up to 62 mph while keeping a time gap of 1.5 seconds, maintaining a closer distance than what is typical for on-highway tractors. Staged and unplanned vehicle cut-ins demonstrated how the technology handles common traffic situations.

Platooning links two or more trucks in a convoy using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems. The vehicles automatically maintain a set, close distance between each other when connected for certain parts of a journey.

"Volvo's V2V technology is based on dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), which has proven its capability to perform well in the V2V environment," said Keith Brandis, Volvo Trucks North America's vice president for product planning, in a statement.

Since April, three Volvo Trucks' VNL tractors have been paired with various combinations of FedEx trailers to simulate real-world routes and trailer loads while traveling on N.C. 540. The potential benefits of platooning that are being studied during this collaborative research include faster responses to hard braking while maintaining safety and fuel efficiency, the manufacturer said.

The vehicle-to-vehicle communication system helps reduce the reaction time for braking and enables vehicles to follow one another more closely, automatically matching each other's speed and braking. The advanced technology is meant to serve as an aid, and not a replacement, for professional truck drivers, Volvo Trucks said.

When trucks can drive closely behind one another, fuel efficiency is improved as a result of reduced drag. Drag accounts for up to 25 percent of a truck's total fuel consumption, and the closer the trucks drive to each other the greater the fuel-saving potential. Reducing the traveling distance between vehicles also allows for greater highway utilization, helping alleviate traffic congestion.

N.C. 540, which is near Volvo Trucks' North American headquarters, is one of 10 locations nationwide designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation for demonstrating advanced vehicle technologies like platooning.

Transportation Trucking Less-than-Truckload
KEYWORDS FedEx Volvo Trucks North America
  • Related Articles

    Engineers test fuel efficiency of truck platooning

    Omnitracs and Peloton to sell truck platooning system

    NFI joins Volvo Trucks' LIGHTS project

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

ProMatDX 2021: New safety standard helps robots work alongside people

ProMatDX 2021: WMS buyers should ask frequent questions to avoid “buyer’s remorse”

ProMatDX 2021: Integrators turn to modular technologies to build agile systems

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • A look into the future of robotics

  • A primer on warehouse robots

  • Exotec Skypod System Adopted by Gap Inc. to Optimize Returns Process

  • Roadrunner Freight bolsters LTL capabilities with $50 million in new backing

  • Truck driver availability tightens to three-year low, ACT says

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Eb277b97 c776 48f1 98e6 6591f2fc98c2

Are you Considering Using Automated Guided Vehicles or Autonomous Mobile Robots in your Facility?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Flooring is one key component that should be considered for optimal robotic performance on elevated platforms. Gloss, texture, wear, and the condition of the floor can all effect the ability of the robot to run at its peak operating levels. Learn how ResinDek flooring can solve these issues.

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Special Report: Supply Chain Trends in Retail & Consumer Goods

  • Fortify Your Operational Resilience

  • Cold Storage Automation: Leveraging Advanced Technologies to Meet Increasing Demand

  • The modern warehouse: Maximizing productivity and capacity

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing