TRL’s “world first” truck platooning team will take to the stage at the Microlise Transport Conference, on May 16, with updates on the trial.

TRL, appointed in August by Highways England and the Department for Transport (DfT) to lead the trials, will outline how they will perform an independent evaluation of the technology’s potential for UK roads, including an assessment of the effects on fuel use, harmful tailpipe emissions, congestion and road safety.

TRL’s chief executive and Microlise speaker Rob Wallis (pictured) said: “The aim of the trial is to provide an independent impact assessment and to quantify possible benefits and disbenefits.

“Having succeeded with our consortium partners to secure government backing, and having already made an excellent start, we will be in a position to share progress so far at the Microlise Transport Conference in May.”

During the presentation, Wallis will provide an overview of the project, outlining the methodology and highlighting that safety is paramount, with strict criteria which must be met before testing and trials can take place on England’s Strategic Road Network.

The Microlise Transport Conference last year attracted more than 1,200 transport professionals. The free-to-attend event, which will again take place at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, includes a full day’s programme supported by focused workshops, a sizable exhibition area and an all new innovation zone.

Microlise’s executive director Bob Harbey said: “Innovation is a fundamental element of the Microlise Transport Conference.

“HGV Platooning has captured newspaper headlines, and the imagination of the general public, for being very innovative.

"We want to get to the heart of the topic and understand what the potential benefits, and possible downsides, might be for our industry and more broadly, for the world. It’s great to have TRL join our exciting agenda to give a behind the scenes glimpse of the platooning trials.”
 

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