The Technology Era, Truck Platooning, Truck Drivers’ Activity, and Risk Awareness

Simoes, Anabela · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007852

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Summary

This paper addresses the integration of truck platooning technology into the European freight transport sector, focusing on the human factors, risk awareness, and behavioral adaptation required for its successful implementation. The research is motivated by the industry’s need for decarbonization and efficiency improvements, alongside a critical shortage of truck drivers and the aging workforce’s discomfort with new in-vehicle technologies. The author argues that while automation offers economic and environmental benefits, it introduces complex safety challenges related to driver engagement, trust, and the interaction between automated systems and diverse road users. The study employs a theoretical review approach, synthesizing existing literature on automated driving, human-machine interaction, and technology acceptance. It analyzes the operational mechanics of driver-assistive truck platooning, where a human-driven lead truck coordinates with semi-automated follower trucks using Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication and Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC). The paper also applies the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to frame the assessment of drivers’ trust and reliance on these systems. Key risks identified include the potential for "cut-in" incidents, where smaller vehicles attempt to enter the narrow gaps between platooning trucks, and the psychological effects on drivers, particularly the risk of cognitive underload and drowsiness in follower vehicles due to reduced active driving tasks. The findings highlight significant disparities in driver activity between lead and follower roles. Lead drivers remain "in the loop," maintaining physical control and monitoring the system, whereas follower drivers are largely "on the loop" or "out of the loop," tasked primarily with monitoring system information. This shift creates a risk of overreliance on automation, leading to decreased situation awareness and slower reaction times during emergencies. The paper notes that while platooning improves fuel efficiency through aerodynamic slipstreaming and enhances traffic flow, the technology’s maturity is still limited by constraints in road environment perception and the unpredictability of mixed-fleet interactions. Furthermore, the UTAUT framework suggests that individual differences such as age and experience will significantly moderate drivers’ acceptance and behavioral intentions regarding Level 3 automation. The significance of this work lies in its emphasis on the necessity of a human-system integration approach to truck platooning. The author concludes that technological development must be accompanied by robust training programs and adaptive organizational strategies to ensure driver safety and system reliability. The paper calls for further research to resolve issues of trust, reliance, and the specific human factors challenges posed by partial automation, arguing that without addressing these behavioral and cognitive dimensions, the promised safety and efficiency benefits of truck platooning may not be fully realized.

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Topics

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• trust calibration
• teleoperation remote driving