Motorists Soon May Encounter A Different Kind Of Truck Convoy

The "It's a convoy!" of lore and ballad is morphing into an entirely new concept for truck transportation on America's highways. But, it's doubtful that movies and songs will spring forth in honor of what motorists may soon be encountering along this country's interstates.

Motorists soon may encounter a different kind of truck convoy

How is this so different from doubles & triples? I don't really understand the advantage of a "following" truck. Sometimes I lose my radar because of ice build up. Wouldn't this be a big problem? Interesting concept but doesn't seem real practical.

Ya great idea...

Impatient 4 wheeler is trying to pass the convoy before thier exit, which is only 1/2 mile up the road. 4 wheeler underestimates length of convoy and cuts across the nose of the lead convoy vehicle to dart across to their exit. (How many times has this happen to you?)

Now not only does the lead truck have to brake hard, but the entire convoy better be able to brake just as hard at the exact same moment or you have one hell of a truck pile up.

How is this so different from doubles & triples? I don't really understand the advantage of a "following" truck. Sometimes I lose my radar because of ice build up. Wouldn't this be a big problem? Interesting concept but doesn't seem real practical

It would be like NASCAR the lead truck would break the air and all the following ones would be "drafting" and saving themselves from having air coming over the hood. In theory the the following trucks would save fuel since the lead truck would break the air and they would be following in his wake.

I just think it will lead to multi truck pile ups as it will be impossible for the following trucks to see ahead.

The truck platooning appears to me as too much risk for the reward possibly gained. As PlanB. observed, one problem could lead to a huge catastrophe all to save some fuel money? I’ve been following this topic for the past two years, and have heard many theories and explanations on the concepts and I’m not a fan.

In my past life I learned to read between the lines whenever there is a corporate release of information like this...in an attempt to peel the egg off their faces.

I believe it’s the insurance underwriters that ultimately put the Kabash on this, hence Daimler couldn’t get any of the BIGs to commit to the technology. AKA...no buyers.

Besides the whole concept falls apart when introduced in highly congested urban areas such as the majority of the north east region.

Another failed attempt to replace us!

I've never picked up a load going to one destination that needed 6 or 7 trucks to get it there. This is extremely limited in it's usefulness, and very heavy on liability issues.

It's nice to be needed for our job, and the ideas that these brainiacs keep coming up with to improve the efficiency of logistics are improving our job security level exponentially.

I've never picked up a load going to one destination that needed 6 or 7 trucks to get it there. This is extremely limited in it's usefulness, and very heavy on liability issues.

It's nice to be needed for our job, and the ideas that these brainiacs keep coming up with to improve the efficiency of logistics are improving our job security level exponentially.

I agree with the liability.

It could change the paradigm though by enticing shippers to move more bulk commodity by truck as opposed to rail in mile long unit trains (as it is now). Things like grain, ethanol, fertilizer and certain chemicals would be potential profitable moves for trucking companies if this technology was more viable and reliable.

Comes back to a highway infrastructure that is already choked with congestion in certain parts and crumbling in others.

Back to the drawing board they go...

That is about the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. SMH

That is about the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. SMH

No it isn’t! Brian’s explanation of going lease has to be judging by all your replies.