SARTRE project demonstrates "platooning" on Sweden's motorways

Technology sees a lead vehicle drive a line of other vehicles in a convoy, which adjusts to the car in front

The EU-financed Safe Road Trains for the Environment (SARTRE) project has carried out the first successful demonstration of platooning on the motorway at the Volvo Proving Ground close to Gothenburg, Sweden.

Vehicle platooning is a convoy of vehicles where a professional driver in a lead vehicle drives a line of other vehicles. Each car measures the distance, speed and direction and adjusts to the car in front.

All vehicles are totally detached and can leave the procession at any time.

But once in the platoon, drivers can relax and do other things while the platoon proceeds towards its long haul destination.


The tests carried out included a lead vehicle and single following car. The steering wheel of the following car moves by itself as the vehicle smoothly follows the lead truck around the country road test track.

Platooning is designed to improve a number of things including road safety and saves fuel consumption, and thus CO2 emissions, with up to 20 per cent.

It is also convenient for the driver because it frees up time for other matters than driving, and since the vehicles will travel in highway speed with only a few meters gap, platooning may also relieve traffic congestion.

The technology development is well underway and can most likely go into production in a few years time. What may take substantially longer are the public acceptance and the legislation where 25 EU governments must pass similar laws.

Tom Robinson, SARTRE project coordinator, of Ricardo UK Ltd said: "Platooning offers the prospect of improved road safety, better road space utilisation, improved driver comfort on long journeys and reduced fuel consumption and hence CO2 emissions."

Further information:
The SARTRE project