PIT Group Joins Truck Platooning Research

PIT Group, the research and engineering branch of FPInnovations focused on improving fleet maintenance and operations in the North American, has announced that it is participating in Transport Canada’s Cooperative Truck Platooning Systems (CTPS) testing program that began July 24th and will end August 18th at the Motor Vehicle Test Centre in Blainville, Quebec.

Supported by the ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles (eTV) program, the Cooperative Truck Platooning Systems (CTPS) testing program is a joint effort led by Transport Canada and includes the National Research Council Canada; Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology (University of California at Berkeley); the U.S. Department of Energy; the U.S. Federal Highway Administration; the California Department of Transportation, and Volvo Trucks.

The PIT Group brings recognized testing expertise to the activities and will manage track operations and provide trailers, drivers, test engineers and scientific equipment, in addition to conducting fuel consumption measurements using the TMC Fuel Consumption Test Procedure in a ISO 17 025 context.

In 2016, the same team successfully conducted Fuel Economy Testing of a Three-Vehicle Truck Platooning System. This year, the group is focusing on the real world performance and reliability of CTPS using a range of tractor-trailer configurations, speeds, separation distances and weights in various traffic conditions.

Through reductions in aerodynamic drag and vehicle spacing, CTPS offers the potential to improve fuel economy, emissions, traffic flow, and road capacity by employing wireless communications and automation to create a convoy or “platoon” of multiple trucks following in close succession. The technologies employed by CTPS also have potential benefits for drivers and for increasing road safety.

“Platooning is an important step towards autonomous vehicles and to realizing the potential to reduce fuel consumption, eliminate highway congestion and improve safety,” said Yves Provencher, director, market and business development of PIT Group. “This year’s testing program will provide a valuable understanding of the real savings potential of platooning. We are pleased to contribute our ten years of testing expertise to assist in this valuable industry research effort.”

Tags: automation, Fleet maintenance, improve fuel economy, increasing road safety, National Research Council Canada, Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology, PIT Group, Platooning, the California Department of Transportation, The U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Transport Canada’s Cooperative Truck Platooning Systems, University of California at Berkeley, Volvo Trucks, wireless communication

Category: Featured, Fleet Diagnostics & Software, General Update, Safety