EASE Logistics advances truck automation with platooning on I-70 in Ohio and Indiana
- EASE Logistics has begun deploying automated truck platooning technology on I-70, supported by a partnership between Ohio and Indiana transportation departments.
- The project, which is part of an $8.8 million initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, aims to improve truck automation safety and performance.
- This deployment serves as a crucial step towards integrating advanced technologies into freight operations, ultimately seeking to enhance roadway safety.
In a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Transportation's DriveOhio initiative and the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), EASE Logistics has initiated a project focused on deploying automated truck platooning technology along I-70. Funded partially by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, this project represents an $8.8 million multi-year investment aimed at enhancing truck automation in logistics. The initiative aims to assess the safety and operational performance of automated trucks, including their interactions with highway infrastructure and weather conditions that are prevalent in the Midwest. The project utilizes a system that electronically links a pair of tractor-trailers, allowing the driver of the lead truck to control the following vehicle's speed and direction. This configuration enables the follower truck to maintain a closer distance behind the lead truck, which has been recognized for its potential to improve fuel efficiency. Drivers remain in control, as both trucks are overseen by professional drivers who can disengage the automated system when necessary. The deployment includes a safety feature where follower trucks will display a purple light when in platooning mode, signaling their operational status to law enforcement. Through this project, authorities and stakeholders emphasize the importance of safety on the road, as they aim to create a safer driving environment for all users. The data collected from these platooning operations will help understand how such technologies can enhance both logistical operations and safety dynamics in diverse driving conditions. Experts in the logistics and transportation industry recognize that the advancement of truck automation technologies could significantly reduce operational costs and provide critical efficiencies in freight transportation. While there remains skepticism and concern regarding autonomous technology, the focus of this project is not to eliminate drivers from the equation but rather to work alongside them to enhance safety. As the industry continues to evolve, states like Ohio and Indiana play an essential role in pioneering such initiatives to transition towards more automated and efficient freight systems. Engagement with technology developers such as Aurora, Bot Auto, Gatik, Plus, Torc, Volvo Autonomous Systems, and Waabi indicates an industry-wide commitment to innovation in logistics, including an interest in assessing technology performance under various conditions to ensure long-term viability and safety integration in the workforce.