Safety First – Trucks’ Automated Driving Systems

Safety First – Trucks’ Automated Driving Systems

photo illus. by Wikimedia
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.—Airman 1st Class Christian Crider refuels an aircraft here Aug. 1, 2011. The 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) fuel operations flight supports the base’s F-15E Strike Eagle and KC-135R Stratotanker fleet. An R-11 refueling truck can pump 750 gallons of fuel per minute. Crider is a 4th LRS fuels operator and hails from Montgomery, Ala. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Whitney Lambert/ Released)

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More and more automated driving systems (ADS) are appearing on the roadways, some are integrated into trucking systems, providing vehicles with perception, decision making, and operation by electronics and machinery instead of a human driver. 

ADS systems are also integrated in military truck fleets. The US Military has been making efforts to develop remote driving technologies for the last mile, in order to minimize the risk to resupply units delivering critical supply to front-based troops. Some of the challenges included the latency for secure communications and adequate situational awareness for the remote driver.

However, the integration of these automated systems with current platforms requires significant safety measures. “The introduction of automation into heavy trucks is expected to have a profound effect. However, it is still unclear how these vehicles should best be integrated into fleet operations with conventional trucks,” said Richard Hanowski, director of Virginia’s VTTI’s Center for Truck and Bus Safety.

A new study will provide practical guidelines for safely integrating automated driving systems into manned fleets. The four-year study, led by VTTI in partnership with a 16-member team, is funded by a $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

The team includes automated driving system technology developers, trucking fleets, six state departments of transportation, and other supporting organizations

The study will produce critical data to help guide rulemaking and fleet operations. “This research will accelerate the analysis of automated systems with the trucking industry,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “This will improve safety and maximize the economic investments in freight and commerce.”

The fleet concept of operations will include best practices for technology deployment, driver training, installation and maintenance, inspection procedures, insurance, roadway readiness, data, and cybersecurity for automated driving systems.

The federal award is one of two that VTTI received notification of in September through the Automated Driving System Demonstration Grants program. Additional support is provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation and cost share from the project team members.

According to vtnews.vt.edu, the team will work with safety technology developer Pronto to demonstrate the safe and gradual integration of various levels of advanced automation technology into fleet operations on public U.S. roadways. 

Pronto’s technology will be retrofitted into existing heavy vehicles to support this research. Common driving situations, such as queuing in ports, drayage operations, and exit-to-exit scenarios, will be tested, resulting in a critical review of the extent to which the theoretical safety benefits of automation can be captured in practical, real-life trucking operations.