UK roads ‘not up to’ platooning

By Categories: NewsPublished On: Saturday 18 March 2017

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has claimed that the British road network is not suitable for ‘platooning’ – lines of trucks following in close proximity with the speed and steering of all vehicles controlled by the driver of the lead truck via telematics.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the RHA’s Rod McKenzie said: “Our motorways are peppered with exit and entry points – causing queues for vehicles trying to join and leave the motorway will simply create even more congestion.”

He continued: “Of course the auto-pilot facility has the ability to remove human error and mistake – but what happens if the engine goes wrong?

“The haulage industry is increasingly IT led and we embrace technology – but not at the expense of safety or practicality.  The experts have it all to prove as far as we are concerned. All road users, not just transport operators, have to be OK with this.”

He concluded: “We’re not there yet but we are talking to the truck manufacturers and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and are following it all with keen interest and a healthy dose of caution.

“Seldom has the phrase ‘the devil lies in the detail’ been more appropriate.”