Fuel efficiency test of platooning technology near Salt Lake City reports a 10 percent fuel consumption reduction for the trailing tractor trailer and 4.5 percent reduction for the lead tractor trailer

SAE J1321 fuel economy test conducted jointly between North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and CR England.

Date Posted
03/28/2017
Identifier
2017-B01134
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CR England Peloton Technology Platooning Test Nov 2013

Summary Information

In 2013, Peloton Technology engaged the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and CR England, a for-hire fleet, to assist them with a fuel efficiency test of their platooning technology. A combined team of engineers from the three organizations conducted a SAE J1321 fuel economy test to validate the Peloton Technology platooning system that uses radar-based collision mitigation equipment and truck to truck communications.

Test Methodology

Testing occurred over two days (19-20 November 2013) on six segments of approximately 40 miles each along I-80 west of Salt Lake City. The following test equipment was used:

  • Two identically specified 2011 model year Peterbilt 386s with ISX15L diesel engines and Eaton 10 speed manual transmissions, with Peloton platooning technology added. Test fuel tanks for these trucks were built by Peloton.
  • Freightliner Cascadia for control truck purposes, using CR England test fuel tanks.
  • CR England weighted, fuel efficiency test trailers with side skirts.
  • CR England trailer for control truck loaded with pallets.

Day 1: all six test segments were completed with 30 seconds of separation between all three vehicles; including the control truck, the Peloton Peterbilt C1, and the Peloton Peterbilt B1. There was approximately 0.5 mile between each tractor trailer. This was a baseline test of the two Peloton Peterbilt Trucks.

Day 2: the Peloton platooning system was turned on and the two Peloton Peterbilts followed 36 feet apart 30 seconds behind the control truck.

A portable scale was used to weigh all test fuel tanks before and after each test segment.

Findings

When electronically connected at 36 feet separation and at 64 mi/hr, the lead Peloton Peterbilt C1 truck showed an average fuel savings of 4.5 percent during the three validated test segments and the following Peloton Peterbilt B1 truck showed an average fuel savings of 10 percent.

Results Type
Deployment Locations