DAF Trucks to take part in UK platoon trials

DAF Trucks will participate in a two-year platoon trial in the UK, led by TRL, the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory.

Together with its partners, TNO, Ricardo and logistics company DHL, DAF Trucks has been selected by the Department for Transport (DfT), in conjunction with Highways England to gain experience with truck platooning on selected routes on England’s strategic road network.

The DfT gave the green light to autonomous trials last week, with the first DAF test trucks scheduled to take to the roads in the next few months.

Platooning enables trucks to drive in close formation, leading to lower fuel consumption, reduced CO2 emissions and improved traffic flow, by using advanced driver assistance systems that contribute to increased road safety.

"DAF is honoured to participate in the TRL-led field test involving a three truck platoon for the UK Government," said Ron Borsboom, member of DAF Trucks' board of management and responsible for product development.

“The trials will enrich our understanding and knowledge of the benefits that platooning can deliver, whilst at the same time we can support the Department for Transport by building evidence of how platooning can improve transport efficiency.

“It goes without saying that there is still a lot of technical development ahead of us before we might be able to introduce platooning to the market. This trial, however, is an important and necessary step we need to take.”