December, 2014
Ted Scott
(703) 838-1908
TRUCK PLATOONING
WHAT IS TRUCK PLATOONING?
Truck platooning is similar to a truck convoy except that the platoon of trucks (2+) is connected
electronically through direct short range communications that brings the vehicles to within
close following distance (approximately 30 feet) . The platooning process requires the driver of
truck two to steer the truck and uses sensors to collect data that controls a truck’s breaking
system and speed. The technology makes use of a forward collision avoidance system and
vehicle-to-vehicle communication to allow two trucks to travel close together.
CURRENT STATUS
A Federal Highway Administration research project will test "platooning" two trucks with the
goal of saving fuel and decreasing traffic congestion.
FHWA awarded a contract for the project in October 2013 to a team led by Auburn University
in Alabama, supported by Peloton, the American Transportation Research Institute, Peterbilt
and Meritor Wabco.
This team will research partial automation for two-truck platooning, integrating vehicle-tovehicle communications with adaptive cruise control so the following truck will always be at a
safe, yet close, following distance.
FHWA wants to see if this technology can increase traffic flow and save fuel, as well as test for
system robustness.
POSSIBLE ISSUES: Some of the challenges involved include:
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How to ensure the truck with the shortest stopping distance is behind longer stopping
trucks? ( gross vehicle weight, type of brakes, brake condition, have an impact of
stopping distance).
How to find similarly equipped vehicles on the road for your platoon?
What are the responsibilities of the lead driver?
How the system reacts to passenger car cut-ins or other highway anomalies?
What's the return on this investment?
What data should be transmitted to the driver and how, so drivers quickly understand
what is being communicated?
What data is important to the lead driver and what data is important to the following
drivers?
POSSIBLE STATE TRUCKING ASSOCIATION ISSUES
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•
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Some state “Following to Close” laws may need to be changed. What is the definition of
“reasonable and prudent’ in state laws that only apply the term to “following to close”?
(see the attached Table for a State-by State Summary of the “Following to Close” Law)
What state insurance laws need to be changed or adjusted to allow platooning trucks to
operate on state roads?
Should truck platooning be regulated through state special permit provisions?
What state driver laws must be changed?
STATE by STATE – Following Too Closely Laws
State
Law or Rule
Reference
Alabama
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle of 25 or
more feet in length when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business
or residence district and which is following another truck or motor vehicle
drawing another vehicle of 25 or more feet in length shall, whenever
conditions permit, leave sufficient space, at least 300 feet, so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger,
except that this shall not prevent a truck or motor vehicle drawing
another vehicle of 25 or more feet in length from overtaking and passing
any vehicle or combination of vehicles
reasonable and prudent.
leave sufficient space between his vehicle and the vehicle being towed in
front of him so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the
space without danger.
reasonable and prudent
sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the
space without danger.
ALA CODE § 325A-89
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
reasonable and prudent,
The driver of any motor truck or any motor vehicle drawing another
vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or
residence district shall not follow within two hundred feet (200') of
another motor vehicle.
California
reasonable and prudent
Colorado
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing
another vehicle when traveling
upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and which is
following another motor
truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle shall, whenever conditions
permit, leave
sufficient space so that an overtaking v
ehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger;
Connecticut
reasonable and prudent,
Motor vehicles being driven upon any highway in a caravan shall be so
operated as to allow sufficient space between such vehicles or
combination of vehicles to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy
such space without danger.
reasonable and prudent,
he driver of any truck or vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling
upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, and which is
Delaware
13 AAC 02.090.
2010 Arizona
Revised Statutes
Title 28 Transportation
28-730
2010 Arkansas
Code
Title 27 Transportation
Subtitle 4 - Motor
Vehicular Traffic
Chapter 51 Operation Of
Vehicles -- Rules
Of The Road
Subchapter 3 Driving,
Overtaking, and
Passing
§ 27-51-305
V C Section
21703
42-4-1008.
2005 Connecticut
Code - Sec. 14240
21 Del. C. 1953, §
4123
Florida
Georgia
following another vehicle, shall, whenever conditions permit, leave
sufficient space, but not less than 300 feet, so that an overtaking vehicle
may enter and occupy such space without danger,
reasonable and prudent
t is unlawful for the driver of any motor truck, motor truck drawing another
vehicle, or vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer, when traveling upon
a roadway outside of a business or residence district, to follow within 300
feet of another motor truck, motor truck drawing another vehicle, or
vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer.
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any motor vehicle which is drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residential district and
which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another
vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that
an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger,
Title
XXIII316.0895
2010 Georgia
Code § 40-6-49
Hawaii
reasonable and prudent
The driver of a motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence
district and which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle
drawing another vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave
sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such
space without danger,
Haw. Rev. Stat. §
291C-50
Idaho
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling
upon a highway outside of a business or residential district and which is
following another motor vehicle drawing another vehicle shall, whenever
conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle
may enter and occupy the space without danger.
reasonable and prudent.
The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and
which is following another truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger,
49-638
Reasonable and prudent
reasonable and prudent,
The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and
which is following another truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
shall leave sufficient space, whenever conditions permit, so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger
The operator of any motor truck, semitrailer truck, bus, or heavy
construction equipment unit, when traveling upon a highway outside
Of a business or residential district, shall not follow within two hundred
fifty (250) feet of another such vehicle or equipment unit.
321.307
Statute 8-1523
a driver shall not follow another vehicle more closely not follow another
vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. The
The Two Second Rule is recommended as reasonable and prudent by
Louisiana’s driver’s license guide book.
organizations.
reasonable and prudent
An operator of a vehicle towing another vehicle, when traveling outside of
LA. RS. 32:81
Illinios
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Illinois Compiled
Statutes 625 ILCS
5 Illinois Vehicle
Code. Section 11710
189.390 (8)
title29-asec2066
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
a business or residential district and following a vehicle towing another
vehicle and when conditions permit, shall leave sufficient space so that
an overtaking vehicle may enter the space between the 2 vehicles
without danger.
reasonable and prudent
Truck following other truck or motor vehicle towing another vehicle.Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, whenever
conditions permit, the driver of every truck, while traveling on a roadway
outside of a business district or a residential district and following any
other truck or any other motor vehicle towing another vehicle, shall leave
enough space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the
space without danger
(8) Slow Vehicles to Stay 200 Feet Apart Upon roadways less than 27
feet wide and upon which vehicular traffic is permitted to operate in both
directions, the driver of any slow-moving commercial vehicle when
traveling outside of a business or residential district shall not follow
another slow-moving commercial vehicle within 200 feet
§ 21-310
720 CMR 9.00
reasonable and prudent
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more
closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed
of the vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway.
(2) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle with a gross weight,
loaded or unloaded, in excess of 5,000 pounds outside the corporate
limits of a city or village, within 500 feet of a like vehicle described in this
subsection, moving in the same direction, except when overtaking and
passing the vehicle."
reasonable and prudent,
The driver of any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, or the driver of
any motor truck or bus, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a
business or residence district, shall not follow within 500 feet of another
vehicle.
Distances to be maintained between traveling vehicles.
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more
closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed
of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
(2) The driver of any motor truck or motor truck drawing another vehicle
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence
district shall not follow within three hundred feet of another motor truck or
motor truck drawing another vehicle. The provisions of this subsection
shall not be construed to prevent overtaking and passing nor shall the
same apply upon any lane specially designated for use by motor trucks."
reasonably safe and prudent,
Vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or
residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other
vehicles, shall be so operated, except in a funeral procession or in a duly
authorized parade, so as to allow sufficient space between each such
vehicle or combination of vehicles as to enable any other vehicle to
overtake or pass such vehicles in safety.
reasonable and prudent
A motor vehicle being driven upon a roadway outside of a business or
residence district, including in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not
towing other vehicles, must be operated in a manner that allows
sufficient space between each vehicle or combination of vehicles to
enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy the space without
257.643
reasonable and prudent
2009 Nebraska
2013
Statutes,Chapter
169, Section 18
63-3-619 § 63-1203
Section 304.017
Montana Code Part 3: Vehicle
Operating
Requirements §
61-8-329
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
The driver of any motor vehicle drawing a trailer, semitrailer, or another
vehicle, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or
residential district, who is following another vehicle shall, subject to
varying road conditions, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking
vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger and shall not
follow another motor vehicle drawing a trailer, semitrailer, or another
vehicle more closely than one hundred feet.
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any truck or combination of vehicles 80 inches or more in
overall width, which is following a truck, or combination of vehicles 80
inches or more in overall width, shall, whenever conditions permit, leave
a space of 500 feet so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy
such space without danger, but this shall not prevent a truck or
combination of vehicles from overtaking and passing any vehicle or
combination of vehicles.
reasonable and prudent
he driver of any motor truck or vehicle drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and
which is following another motor truck or vehicle drawing another vehicle
shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger
Tailgating N.J.S.A. 39:4-89 is a violation when a driver follows another
vehicle more closely than reasonable considering the speed of the
vehicles, the conditions of the roadway and the amount of traffic on the
road. Truck drivers commit this offense when they drive on a highway
within 100 feet of another truck.
The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence
district shall not follow another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing
another vehicle within three hundred feet,
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence
district and which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle
drawing another vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave
sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such
space without danger,
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any motor vehicle traveling upon a highway outside of a
business or residential district and following another motor vehicle shall,
whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking
vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and
which is following another truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any truck, or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, when
traveling upon a roadway outside a business or residence district shall
maintain a sufficient space, whenever conditions permit, between such
vehicle and another vehicle ahead so an overtaking motor vehicle may
enter and occupy such space without danger
reasonable and prudent,
The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residential district and
Code
Chapter 60
MOTOR
VEHICLES
60-6,140
NRS 484B.127
265:25
N.J.S.A. 39:4-89
66-7-318
N.Y. VAT. LAW §
1129
General Statutes
§ 20-152
North Dakota
Code 39-10-18
Ohio Revised
Code Title [45]
XLV MOTOR
VEHICLES
4511.34
11-310
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vemont
which is following another truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger,
reasonable and prudent,
Drives a truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence
district or upon a freeway within the corporate limits of a city and follows
another truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
without, when conditions permit, leaving sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.
reasonable and prudent
Combinations of vehicles and trucks - The driver of any motor vehicle
drawing another vehicle or of any truck when traveling upon a roadway
outside of an urban district and following a motor vehicle drawing another
vehicle or following a truck shall, whenever conditions permit, leave
sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the
space without danger.
reasonable and prudent,
whenever traveling through a business or residential district, and
whenever traffic permits, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking
vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger.
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and
which is following another truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger,
reasonable and prudent
reasonable and prudent
The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle towing another vehicle
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence
district and which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle towing
another vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space
so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy that space without
danger,
An operator shall, if
following another vehicle, maintain an assured clear distance between
the two vehicles so that, considering the speed of the vehicles, traffic,
and the conditions of the highway, the operator can safely stop without
colliding with the preceding vehicle or veering into another vehicle,
object, or person on or near the
highway.
An operator of a truck or of a motor vehicle drawing
another vehicle who is on a roadway outside a business or residential
district and who is following another truck or motor vehicle drawing
another vehicle shall, if conditions permit, leave sufficient space between
the vehicles so that a vehicle passing the
operator can safely enter and occupy the space.
reasonable and prudent,
shall follow at a distance so that at least two seconds elapse before
reaching the location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator's
vehicle.
reasonable and prudent,
The driver of any vehicle, when traveling upon a roadway outside a
business or residential district and which is following another vehicle
shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger
811.485
§ 3310
§ 31-15-12 Interval between
vehicles.
56-5-1930
§ 32-26-40
55-8-124
545.062
41-6a-711
Title 23: Motor
Vehicles Chapter
13: Operation of
Vehicles§ 1039.
Virginia
West Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
reasonable and prudent,
reasonable and prudent,
t shall be unlawful for the operator of any motor truck, registered for a
gross weight of more than eight thousand pounds, bus, special mobile
equipment or any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle operating upon
any roadway outside of a business or residence district, to follow within
two hundred feet of another motor truck.
reasonable and prudent,
The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence
district and which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle
drawing another vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave
sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such
space without danger
(1) The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more
closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed
of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
(2) (a) Upon a highway outside a business or residence district,
the operator of any motor truck with a gross weight of more
than 10,000 pounds or of any motor vehicle which is drawing or
towing another vehicle where the combined gross weight is more
than 10,000 pounds shall do all of the following:
1. Keep the vehicle he or she is operating at a distance of not
less than 500 feet to the rear of any vehicle immediately preceding it,
being driven in the same direction.
2. Leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and
occupy such space without danger.
(b) This subsection does not apply upon any lane especially designated
for use by motor trucks or by truck tractor-semitrailer or tractor-trailer
units nor does it apply when overtaking and passing another vehicle, but
the fact that the operator of any vehicle or combination of vehicles
mentioned in this subsection follows the preceding vehicle more closely
than 500 feet for one mile or more or follows more closely than 500 feet
when the preceding vehicle is moving at the maximum speed then and
there permissible for such following vehicle is prima facie evidence that
the operator of such following vehicle is violating this subsection.
§ 46.2-816
§17C-7-10
reasonable and prudent,
he driver of any vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a
business or residence district, and which is following another vehicle
shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an
overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger
31-5-210
RCW 46.61.145
Stat0110