R.B
JF-Expert Member
- May 10, 2012
- 6,296
- 2,575
'Platoons' of driverless lorries will be tested on British motorway this year on 'quiet' section of the M6
It is hoped that the vehicles might help ease the congestion on motorways and help improve the efficiency of deliveries.
George Osborne is set to give the automated lorries a trial on a undisclosed motorway, thought to be part of the M6.
+4
The 'platoons' of driverless HGVs will be electronically linked together for safety reasons, with the lead vehicle setting the pace and direction for the ones behind
As many as ten computer-operated lorries will be used in the trial but a human operator will also be sitting in the driver's seat in case there is an emergency, according to The Times.
The 'platoons' of driverless HGVs will be electronically linked together for safety reasons, with the lead vehicle setting the pace and direction for the ones behind.
The benefit of this method of driving is that it will allow the vehicles to drive closer together, freeing up space on the motorway for other users.
The Chancellor is also exploring other new technological developments which will aid road users on a daily basis.
+4
It is hoped that the vehicles might help ease the congestion on the motorways and help improve the efficiency of deliveries
+4
The Chancellor is also exploring other new technological developments which will aid road users on a daily basis
Wireless technology will be tested on the side of some roads to allow motorists to get the latest updates straight to their car.
Although it remains unconfirmed, The Times have suggested the automated lorries may be tested on the M6, close to Carlisle.
Some experts have raised concerns about the safety implications of putting autonomous vehicles on the road with human drivers.
A report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology highlighted research that showed human drivers change their behaviour when using the same roads as autonomous cars.
Motorists were found to copy the driving style of the computer controlled cars by leaving less space between them and the vehicle in front, but were less able to react quickly.
However, many experts say that driverless cars could actually reduce the risk of accidents as computers are able to react a lot faster than humans.
Software that guide and control the cars will have to be written with a high degree of accuracy and contain fail-safes, while cars will need to be regularly maintained to ensure there are no faults.
Google has also been teaching its vehicles to drive more safely by giving them instructions on 'defensive driving' styles.
They have also been experimenting with teaching the vehicles 'body language' to communicate with other drivers what its intentions are.
+4
A report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology highlighted research that showed human drivers change their behaviour when using the same roads as autonomous cars
INSIDE THE SELF-DRIVING TRUCK: HOW NEW VEHICLE READS THE ROAD
A high-tech network of cameras, sensors and data will control the automated lorries as they takes to the roads next year.
The vehicle uses a two-part radar system and a camera which can read road markings to help it navigate. As shown in the diagram below, a narrow radar beams 820ft down the road to see vehicles ahead, judge their speed and maintain distance.
In the middle distance, the camera tracks lines on the road and signs ahead to make sure the vehicle stays in lane. At present the truck does not overtake of its own volition.
A shorter and wider-range radar system also scans a portion of the road directly ahead
The camera can also provide a feed to the driver inside the truck.
Freightliner has said that additional cameras could also eventually replace wing mirrors, which would make the truck more aerodynamic, and also let drivers see areas which are currently blind spots.
- Britain appears set to test a platoon of driverless HGVs next year
- It is hoped they might help ease congestion on the motorways
- A stretch of the M6 is thought to be the likely motorway for the exciting test
It is hoped that the vehicles might help ease the congestion on motorways and help improve the efficiency of deliveries.
George Osborne is set to give the automated lorries a trial on a undisclosed motorway, thought to be part of the M6.
+4
The 'platoons' of driverless HGVs will be electronically linked together for safety reasons, with the lead vehicle setting the pace and direction for the ones behind
As many as ten computer-operated lorries will be used in the trial but a human operator will also be sitting in the driver's seat in case there is an emergency, according to The Times.
The 'platoons' of driverless HGVs will be electronically linked together for safety reasons, with the lead vehicle setting the pace and direction for the ones behind.
The benefit of this method of driving is that it will allow the vehicles to drive closer together, freeing up space on the motorway for other users.
The Chancellor is also exploring other new technological developments which will aid road users on a daily basis.
+4
It is hoped that the vehicles might help ease the congestion on the motorways and help improve the efficiency of deliveries
+4
The Chancellor is also exploring other new technological developments which will aid road users on a daily basis
Wireless technology will be tested on the side of some roads to allow motorists to get the latest updates straight to their car.
Although it remains unconfirmed, The Times have suggested the automated lorries may be tested on the M6, close to Carlisle.
Some experts have raised concerns about the safety implications of putting autonomous vehicles on the road with human drivers.
A report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology highlighted research that showed human drivers change their behaviour when using the same roads as autonomous cars.
Motorists were found to copy the driving style of the computer controlled cars by leaving less space between them and the vehicle in front, but were less able to react quickly.
However, many experts say that driverless cars could actually reduce the risk of accidents as computers are able to react a lot faster than humans.
Software that guide and control the cars will have to be written with a high degree of accuracy and contain fail-safes, while cars will need to be regularly maintained to ensure there are no faults.
Google has also been teaching its vehicles to drive more safely by giving them instructions on 'defensive driving' styles.
They have also been experimenting with teaching the vehicles 'body language' to communicate with other drivers what its intentions are.
+4
A report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology highlighted research that showed human drivers change their behaviour when using the same roads as autonomous cars
INSIDE THE SELF-DRIVING TRUCK: HOW NEW VEHICLE READS THE ROAD
A high-tech network of cameras, sensors and data will control the automated lorries as they takes to the roads next year.
The vehicle uses a two-part radar system and a camera which can read road markings to help it navigate. As shown in the diagram below, a narrow radar beams 820ft down the road to see vehicles ahead, judge their speed and maintain distance.
In the middle distance, the camera tracks lines on the road and signs ahead to make sure the vehicle stays in lane. At present the truck does not overtake of its own volition.
A shorter and wider-range radar system also scans a portion of the road directly ahead
The camera can also provide a feed to the driver inside the truck.
Freightliner has said that additional cameras could also eventually replace wing mirrors, which would make the truck more aerodynamic, and also let drivers see areas which are currently blind spots.
