
Pair of semi truck The interstate 70 between Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis may seem infallible at first glance. But these rigs are part of a groundbreaking pilot project that can reopen the US goods industry.
Launched through a joint initiative in April Ohio And Indiana Transport Department (DOTS), the project tests the semiotonomus “platooning” technique, with a leading truck encrypted by a human driver encrypted, connected to a follower truck through military-grade communication. Signal followers from the lead truck control the steering, acceleration and braking of the truck; In short, the follower mimics the truck what the major truck does. The system expands the capacity of the fleet without doubling the head count, with effectively operating two trucks with a driver. Along with addressing the country’s constant truck-driver shortage, it can increase security and improve fuel efficiency.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t- j6ephrceOhio transport department
“This is about starting the future of transport in our region,” says Nick HegmierManaging Director for infrastructure and Technology FetishA smart-dacry initiative within Ohio dot“By collaborating in state lines and regions, we are paving the way for smart, safe and more efficient goods movement.”
What is truck platooning?
For pilot project, Crateos defenseA San Diego-based defense contractor, known for his autonomous military systems, adapted his battlefield for civil use. Trucks are operated SplendorIn Dublin, Ohio.
“We are not replacing drivers – we are increasing their reach.”
-Mayanard Factor, Cretos Defense
The system of Kratos can be retrofitted for existing trucks and is designed to strengthen high intervention atmosphere. It uses double channels, frequency-hoping communication and 256-bit Advanced encryption standardTrucks can switch between two radio frequencies – 915 MHz and 2.4 gigahrts – even to maintain a safe connection. They roll through electronic tollboths, which mostly use 915 MHz.
“There is no Wi-Fi, no cellular, no Bluetooth,” says Menard FactorVice President of Business Development at Cretos. “If a frequency becomes incredible, just a straight vehicle-saplings link with intelligent decline.”
Tight coordination between trucks improves safety by helping reduce stop-end shockwaves that can lead to accidents. According to the researchers, the follower uses 10 percent less fuel by staying in low pressure wakes in the low pressure wake of the truck lead truck, because according to researchers, it improves a few percent.
In one year of Ohio-Indiana pilot, the follower truck includes a human backup driver. The factor says that the system may support backup drivers who do not have a commercial driver’s licenses; The final goal is not a driver in another vehicle. Alternatively, if both drivers are eligible, they can switch places when the lead driver is tired.
“At the end of the day, we are not replacing drivers – we are expanding their access,” the factor says. “We are building a future where technology supports the workforce rather than bypassing it.”
Truck Platooning professionals and Opposition
If platooning becomes widespread, trucking companies can save a lot of money. 2021 US Energy Department Study on truck platooning It was found that nationwide spontaneous platooning – where trucks from different places face each other and are wirelessly added, while they are running in the same direction – can save about 1 billion US dollars per year in fuel, Mohammadosin noruzoliaA assistant professor of civil engineering University of Texas Rio Grande Valley And co -writer of study. “It increases the capacity of the road by about 8 percent, potentially avoids $ 4.8 billion in infrastructure expansion costs,” says Noruzolia. And the capacity of trucks of trucks to maintain less distance allows more trucks to travel on a given stretch.
In the Ohio -Indiana pilot project, the other truck can be 30 meters behind the lead truck – a human driver can manage very closely than a human driver. This is because the follower truck can react almost immediately if the lead truck suddenly breaks. On closed tracks and in wind tunnel tests, trucks have been spread as something in addition to 4 meters. But on public roads, state laws require a huge distance.
Noruzolian warns that the spread of closely spread trucks can accelerate the wearing road. He says, “It can justify banning some roads, such as banning local roads or bridges – where the pavement was not designed for these load patterns,” he says. “State dots should analyze these tradeoffs while planning a platoon on a scale.”
And despite the sophistication of the system, Noruzolia has warned that autonomy in the follower truck remains a work in progress. “This technique can reduce cognitive loads and fatigue for the follower,” they say, but the human driver should be alert in the follower truck. The urban environment faces special challenges. Passengers can break cars and traffic signal truck’s plato, forcing the truck couple to improve. And he, in turn, takes time and reduces fuel saving.
Nevertheless, the retrofit-taiyar nature of the Kratos system should make it attractive to fleet operators. New capabilities – such as lead and follower trucks to switch positions – can make the platoon even more flexible and commercially viable.
As the test continues with the I-70 corridor, the acquaintance of these advanced trucks may indicate a familiar thunder signal Freight automation is a practical, older path-especially when compared with a more ambitious vision of autonomous trucks, such as recently launched by Pittsburgh-Acted Arora innovation,
Arora’s self-driving truck, which started Shutling between Dallas and Houston In April, AI, sensor fusion and real -time decisions to navigate highways without human input. But despite rapid progress, a completely autonomous trucks still face significant obstacles – regulatory, technical and public belief – which will possibly delay wide adoption for years. During the first visit of Arora truck on public roadways, CEO Chris Urmson Shared his excitement about riding on the back seat. However, a few weeks later – and on the insistence of a partner – Abora decided that the human “supervisor” on the ship would sit on the driver’s seat instead.
While we wait for the driverless trucks the future, the semitonomus truck platooning can offer a more economical, low-risk and near-surface option. Because the KRATOS system can be retrofitted for existing trucks, a freight operator can introduce autonomy in the fleet without investing in brand-new trucks.
“Platooning is the next step in creating a flexible, modern freight network – one that is safe, clever and more efficient,” says factor.
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