M6 expected to soon play host to driverless lorries

Source: Daimler

The Department for Transport have said the UK would "lead the way" in testing driverless "HGV platoons". It is expected that Chancellor George Osborne will confirm this in his Budget speech this month.

The Times reported that trials would take place on a quiet stretch of the M6 in Cumbria later in 2016, with vehicles in convoy headed by a driver in the leading lorry.  The paper said the plans could result in platoons of up to 10 computer-controlled lorries being driven metres apart from each other.
It said the chancellor was preparing to fund the trials as part of plans to speed up lorry deliveries and cut congestion.

President of the AA Edmund King, said while such a scheme might work in other countries,  but doubted that it was right for the UK.

"The problem with the UK motorway network is that we have more entrances and exits of our motorways than any other motorways in Europe or indeed the world, and therefore it's very difficult to have a 44 tonne 10-lorry platoon, because other vehicles need to get past the platoon to enter or exit the road."

A driverless lorry developed by Daimler has already been tested on a public road in Germany in October. A "highway pilot" feature can be activated at the press of a button - that helps them avoid other road users via a radar and camera sensing system. However the company has a requirement that a human driver be present and focused on the road at all times.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "New technology has the potential to bring major improvements to journeys and the UK is in a unique position to lead the way for the testing of connected and driverless vehicles.

"We are planning trials of HGV platoons - which enable vehicles to move in a group so they use less fuel - and will be in a position to say more in due course."

Source: BBC