How Autonomous Trucks Could Significantly Cut Pollutant Emissions
Could autonomous vehicles reduce the carbon footprint of the transport and shipping sectors? According to a new environmental impact assessment, in some cases the answer is a clear "yes."
Autonomous freight technology developer Locomation reported the results of an independent environmental impact assessment, which found that its Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) system will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fuel consumption and operating costs of freight transport.
This is a potentially important commercial argument, as there is a growing need to address the environmental impact of the rapidly developing logistics sector. In particular, freight transport is a major source of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. According to EPA, the transport sector accounts for:
- more than 50% of total nitrogen oxide emissions in the US
- more than 30% of volatile organic compound emissions in the US
- more than 20% of particulate matter emissions in the US
Autonomous transport could potentially have a big impact through detailed, structured driving efficiency that allows careful control of routes, speed and deviations. However, we are still far from seeing fully autonomous trucks in regular use by carriers, even on American roads.
However, Locomation's solution has a much lower adoption threshold. The company's system achieves efficiency through a strategy of platooning several trucks that are electronically linked to follow a human-driven lead truck.
“This report confirms that Locomation's ARC system means significant gains in efficiency, fuel savings and the elimination of downtime and empty miles, and can help carriers and shippers significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Scope 1 and Scope 3. We are proud to be the first company to validate its environmental claims through independent third-party, science-based verification, and we invite everyone who claims environmental impact or fuel efficiency to do the same”
The human-driven autonomous solution allows one driver to operate the lead truck while a second driver rests in the following truck, which operates autonomously.
In a movement resembling a school relay race, the trucks swap places so each driver can take turns driving and resting in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation hours-of-service rules. This arrangement allows carriers to safely operate two trucks for 20-22 hours a day, delivering twice as much cargo faster and over longer distances.
The efficiency advantage is obvious, but the significant reduction in emissions is less so. In a recent report by Boundless Impact Research & Analytics, it was concluded that Locomation's technology, compared with conventional Class 8 freight trucks, will reduce fuel consumption by 21% and photochemical ozone formation by 22%.
Boundless's test used a methodology based on a standard model of Class 8 long-haul truck freight transport moving 1 tonne of cargo 1 km on highways.
“Our environmental impact assessment of Locomation's technology provided science-based independent review and comparison of the environmental benefits of several transport technologies. Locomation's autonomous freight system will offer a significant environmental improvement over other common fuel-saving technologies, such as cooperative adaptive cruise control and idle reduction technology”
The most inspiring part of all this is that the technology already complies with existing transport regulations. The company is quickly moving to become the first autonomous freight technology company to regularly take part in large-scale commercial operations in the United States with its ARC system. This will begin in late 2022 with Wilson Logistics, followed by PGT Trucking in 2023.
Demand for road freight is expected to grow by 36% between 2021 and 2031. As demand rises, the persistent driver shortage will only worsen. In 2018, the industry was short about 60,800 drivers. By 2028, the shortfall could grow to more than 160,000.
Regulations limit drivers to 14 hours a day, of which 11 hours can be spent driving. The actual driving load is only 7.5 hours a day. In 2020, carriers rejected 25% of the cargo offered to them, forcing shippers to look for other ways to move freight or pay more.
"With full autonomy, operating costs for the trucking industry could fall by about 45%, saving the industry between $85 billion and $125 billion. In addition, new routing based on connectivity and analytics could boost efficiency by up to 25%. Autonomy combined with route optimization is a powerful combination that is attracting growing attention from forward-thinking carriers, shippers, truck manufacturers and other key players in the freight industry. Many are now studying and choosing partners and approaches to get ahead of the curve," said Locomation.
