Self-driving lorry ‘platooning’ trial given the go ahead

The UK’s first HGV 'platooning' trial, jointly funded by Highways England and the Department for Transport, has been given the green light.

Transport Research Laboratory will carry out the trials, which will see how lorries can accelerate, brake and steer in sync through wireless technology.

The ‘platooning’ trials will see up to three self-driving heavy goods vehicles, travelling in convoy, with acceleration and braking controlled by the lead vehicle.

All lorries in the platoon will always have a driver ready to take control at any time.

A row of lorries driving closer together could see the front truck pushing the air out of the way, making the vehicles in the convoy more efficient, lowering emissions and improving air quality.

Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England’s chief executive, welcomed the announcement, and stressed that safety will be an integral part of the trials: “We are pleased to be supporting the government’s ambition for the UK to be a global leader for innovation.

“The trial has the potential to demonstrate how greater automation of vehicles – in this instance, HGVs – can deliver improvements in safety, better journeys for road users and reduction in vehicle emissions.”