Category Demonstration Platooning System Description

Manufacturer/integrator Peloton Technology Inc. Radar 

Delphi Electronic Scanning Radar: Dual beams Short range +/- 45 degree beam, 60 m range Long range +/- 10 degree beam, 175 m range 20 Hz update rate Mounted in front bumper 

Dedicated short-range communications 

Denso DSRC Radio WSU 1.5 Dual antennas in diversity mode Omni-directional antennae mounted on mirrors Single 10 MHz channel Single-board computer and 5.9 GHz DSRC radio Supports IEEE 802.11p, P1609.3, P1609.4, P1609.2 

Vehicle communication 

CAN/J1939 interface through interface card in embedded PC Private controller area network for sensors J1939 for vehicle bus and actuation 

ABS/stability control Meritor Wabco brakes ESC with J1939 brake actuation capability 

Reducing Fuel Consumption through Semi-Automated Platooning w

Project Objective

Fuel Economy Resu

Fuel Savings Results

Track Testing Plan

Key Findings

Fuel Consumption Results

'HPRQVWUDWLRQ6\VWHP6SHFL¿FDWLRQV 

The objective of this project is to evaluate the fuel savings potential of semiautomated truck platooning. Platooning involves reducing aerodynamic drag by grouping vehicles together and decreasing the distance between them through the use of electronic coupling, which allows multiple vehicles to accelerate or brake simultaneously.The U.S. Department of Energy’s interest in platooning stems from the opportunity to reduce petroleum consumption. This study addressed the need for data on American-style line-haul sleeper cabs with modern aerodynamics and over a range of trucking speeds common in the United States. Other organizations may be looking LQWRDGGLWLRQDOEHQH¿WVDQGFRQFHUQV2VXFKDVVDIHW\URDGFRQJHVWLRQUHGXFWLRQDQGSXEOLFDQGGULYHUDFFHSWDQFH2ZKLFKZHUHQRWDGGUHVVHGLQWKLVVWXG\Test Vehicles• Two platooned 

SmartWay tractors 

• One SmartWay 

control tractor 

• All tractors had 

53-ft van body trailers with side skirts

Data Collected• SAE Type II fuel economy 

track testing to quantify fuel consumption reduction in a controlled setting

- Ten constant-speed tests 

at 55 mph, 65 mph, and 70 mph

- One variable speed test- 20 - 75 ft vehicle gaps (note: 65 mph = 95 ft/second)- 65,000 lb and 80,000 lb gross vehicle weight (GVW) loading tests

• Gravimetric fuel economy is primary data gathered using weigh tanks• J1939 data collection, including some Peloton channels

- Coolant temperature and “fan on” time to assess lowered ram air cooling effects- Vehicle following distance- Driver position error

• 2SSRUWXQLW\H[LVWVIRUVLJQL¿FDQWIXHOVDYLQJVWKURXJKSODWRRQLQJWHFKQRORJ\

in line-haul applications

- Tests demonstrated fuel savings for both the lead (up to 5.3%) and trailing 

(up to 9.7%) trucks

- The demonstrated “team” savings of 6.4% could be an attractive return on 

LQYHVWPHQWIRUDÀHHW

- Engine coolant temperature needs to be monitored/addressed for the 

trailing vehicle

- Atmospheric conditions may play a strong role in the savings attainable 

due to the loss of ram air on the trailing vehicle; optimum following distance may be dependent on ambient temperature

• Heavy payloads affect the percent savings from platooning, but still result in 

substantial fuel savings

• SAE conference paper will be published at COMVEC in October 2014 

(2014-01-2438)

• NREL technical report will be published in late 2014

• 2.2% to 5.3% savings @ 

65,000 lb GVW

• Shorter following 

distances demonstrated a reduction in fuel use for the lead tractor

• Trailing truck saw savings 

from 2.8% to 9.7%

• Tests with no “fan on” time 

had savings of 8.4% to 9.7%

• Fan duty cycle as high as 

19%

• Engine coolant 

temperatures on the trailing truck generally increased as following distances decreased 

• Team fuel savings ranged from 3.7% to 6.4%• Percent savings at 70 mph were lower than at 55 mph and 65 mph• Higher GVW negatively impacted fuel-saved percent• Closer following distances caused the engine fan on the trailing truck 

to engage, negatively impacting fuel savings

• Magnitude is currently being investigated 

	

	



























	







 

   

 

     

 

Percent Fuel Saved (Gravimetric)

Lead Truck Trailing Truck Team

Test Conditions Nominal 95% CI Nominal 95% CI Nominal 95% CI

55 mph, 65k, 30' 4.33% 0.70% 8.38% 1.03% 6.38% 0.28%

55 mph, 65k, 50' 2.22% 0.49% 9.72% 2.24% 6.01% 1.33%

65 mph, 65k, 20' 5.28% 0.34% 2.81% 0.71% 4.04% 0.52%

65 mph, 65k, 30' 4.06% 1.19% 7.53% 1.33% 5.80% 1.26%

65 mph, 65k, 40' 2.69% 0.99% 9.10% 0.71% 5.91% 0.84%

65 mph, 65k, 50' 3.14% 2.65% 9.17% 2.11% 6.15% 2.37%

65 mph, 65k, 75' 1.69% 2.35% 9.39% 1.93% 5.53% 2.12%

70 mph, 65k, 30' 4.42% 1.92% 4.62% 2.33% 4.52% 2.12%

70 mph, 65k, 50' 2.23% 0.35% 8.36% 1.44% 5.31% 0.90%

VAR, 65k, 50' 2.70% 8.32% 4.22% 6.82% 3.45% 7.56%

65 mph, 80k, 50' 0.55% 3.58% 6.67% 4.84% 3.68% 2.07%

Fuel Economy Results

• Baseline mpg is 

the test distance of 59.4 miles divided by an average of all baseline run fuel consumption results from both test trucks for each speed and load condition 

• Platooning mpg 

is calculated by applying the SAE procedure calculated percent fuel savings to the baseline fuel consumption average

• Platooning improved fuel economy at all speeds and conditions

- Best mpg overall was platooning at 55 mph

• Baseline condition tests show 

effect of speed on mpg

- 7.82 mpg @ 55 mph- 6.58 mpg @ 65 mph- 6.07 mpg @ 70 mph

*Pink cells 

indicate results are not statistically VLJQL¿FDQWat 95% FRQ¿GHQFHinterval (CI).

Class 8 - Truck Platooning Fuel Sav

Lead Truck

Class 8 - Truck Platooning Fuel Economy

Lead Truck

Enabling Technologies for Semi-Automated Platooning • Forward object detection 

(radar, laser, stereo cameras, etc.)

• Dedicated short-range 

communications

• Vehicle-to-vehicle 

communications (V2V)

• Vehicle braking and torque 

control interface

• Baseline condition tests 

show effect of mass on mpg

- 6.58 mpg @ 65 mph and 65,000 lb- 6.33 mpg @ 65 mph and 80,000 lb

V2V

Testing took place March 17 – April 3 at the 8.5-mile Uvalde track in San Antonio, Texas.

62494_peloton_truck_platooning_pstr.indd 1