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DAF Trucks at centre of UK’s first self-driving lorry test

 

DAF Trucks is going to be at the heart of a new self-driving lorry test in the UK – the largest of its kind – and will take part in a number of small-convoy trials on major British roads that will finish by the end of 2018.

 

The announcement was made by roads minister Paul Maynard during a visit to DAF Trucks' Leyland truck plant in Lancashire. Government funding totalling £8 million has been officially approved for a pilot scheme, which will primarily take place on motorways in England.

 

In the tests, up to three lorries will drive in a fixed formation, and the lead truck will be in charge of acceleration and braking. This first truck will be controlled by a human driver, while connectivity via Wi-Fi will allow communication with the other two trucks in the convoy.

 

The inaugural contract was given to the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). DAF’s trucks will partner with smart technology transport company Ricardo, as well as German logistics firm DHL, to put itself at the cutting edge of long-awaited developments in the field of automated fleets.

 

There are a number of potential benefits with the scheme: firstly, there is the better use of road space, owing to the lorries being able to drive closer together than human drivers can safely manage; meanwhile, it is also believed fuel use will be lowered by as much as 10%, as per the findings of trials that took place in the Netherlands earlier this year.

 

Speaking at the event, Mr Maynard said: "We believe this system has the potential not just to save fuel and therefore emissions, but also to reduce congestion on our roads. It's potentially win-win all round, and this investment is to ensure we are at the forefront of this new technology. But first, we must make sure the technology is safe and works well on our roads, and that's why we are investing in these trials.”

 

 

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