Communication Needs and the Drivers’ Activity in Platooning Systems

Neto, Catarina; Simoes, Anabela; Lobo, António · 2023 · Crossref

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1003824

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

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Summary

This paper addresses the human factors and communication requirements associated with truck platooning systems, a technology where multiple trucks travel in a virtual convoy using connectivity and automated driving support. The research is motivated by the need to ensure road safety and efficient freight mobility while addressing the unique behavioral adaptations required of drivers. The authors highlight that standard SAE automation levels are insufficient for platooning due to its heavy reliance on vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. Consequently, the study introduces the TRAIN research project, which aims to identify requirements for safe deployment and assess driver acceptance, trust, and reliance on the technology. The methodology involves a qualitative approach using Focus Groups (FG) with professional truck drivers in Portugal. The study recruited 22 male long-haul drivers, aged 44–62, from two transport companies. Participants were selected based on their valid licenses, experience with driving assistance systems, and international operation status. The FG sessions explored drivers’ previous experiences with in-vehicle technology, their perceptions of automated vehicles, opinions on platooning, and concerns regarding safety and technology limits. The data collected from these sessions is intended to inform the design of a broader survey and the parametrization of future driving simulator experiments. The findings reveal mixed attitudes toward platooning technology. Drivers generally viewed existing assistance systems like cruise control and navigation positively, though some found lane-keeping and emergency braking systems annoying or unsafe due to load characteristics. Regarding platooning, drivers acknowledged potential benefits such as fuel savings and reduced fatigue but expressed concerns about monotony, the difficulty of recovering position after cut-ins, and liability issues. A significant finding was the divergence in gap preferences: European drivers preferred shorter distances to avoid interference from other road users, whereas US drivers preferred longer gaps. Drivers also emphasized the need for specific training to handle technology failures and noted that human reaction times are significantly slower than automated braking systems, posing safety risks if drivers revert to manual maneuvers inappropriately. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to the development of safe and acceptable platooning systems. The study underscores the necessity of new automation categorizations, such as Platooning Support Function and Platooning Automated Function, to better reflect the system's communication dependencies. The TRAIN project aims to produce an acceptance model for market adoption, driver behavior models to assess risks like cognitive underload and distraction, and guidelines for industry and regulatory bodies. These outcomes are critical for defining training needs and regulations to ensure that the integration of platooning technology enhances safety and usability without compromising the integrity of freight transport operations.

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• teleoperation remote driving

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• Methodological Resource: tool software