United Kingdom to trial truck platooning technology next year

They're not quite as driverless as you might think, but the Government is spending £8m to test out convoys of "self-driving" lorries on British roads by the end of next year. "As well as supporting the Department for Transport and Highways England in informing future infrastructure investments and policy decisions, the trials will highlight the services that platooning may offer road users and whether these can safely contribute to a reduction in vehicle emissions, improved journeys and greater economic prosperity".

It is claimed that platooning will cut fuel costs and congestion, but will still require a human being as back up in the driver's seat, ready to take the wheel if something goes wrong. The distance between the trucks is optimised to reduce air drag, cutting fuel consumption and emissions - potentially by up to 20 per cent.

If successful, this technology could have major benefits for motorists and businesses in the UK.

"A row of lorries driving closer together could see the front truck pushing the air out of the way, making the vehicles in the convoy more efficient, lowering emissions and improving air quality", the DfT said.

But first we must make sure the technology is safe and works well on our roads, and that's why we are investing in these trials.

They will initially take place on a private track before moving onto public highways.

A contract has been awarded to the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to carry out the tests, during which acceleration and braking will be controlled by the lead vehicle.

Similar trials have already been carried out elsewhere in Europe and in the United States but motoring experts questioned the suitability of self-driving lorries in the UK.

The tests will involve three phases; the first will focus on the potential for platooning on the UK's major roads. "Platooning may work on the miles of deserted freeways in Arizona or Nevada but this is not America", said Edmund King, chief of the UK's Automobile Association (AA). "So what that means is either the platoon would have to break up at entries or exits or indeed, pull over, and that could cause problems for drivers in other cars trying to get on the motorway or get off".