1. Feedback from ACEA truck manufacturers and next steps
European truck platooning challenge (ETPC)
ETPC follow-up meeting
Glasgow – 6 June 2016

2. what have truck manufacturers experienced
A real challenge: different exemption procedures, different legal requirements and different safety rules in member states made this a real “challenge”.
One time is not enough: further demonstrations are needed in order to gain more experience and knowledge in real traffic conditions.
Make it like in a platoon: to strengthen and extend the cooperation with all the concerned stakeholders is key for driving forward.

3. What obstacles should be addressed
Lack of knowledge: more experience and knowledge about platooning in real traffic conditions need to be collected e.g. how many trucks to be allowed in a platoon, what are traffic and/or driver reactions to platoons, etc.
Harmonisation: harmonized regulations and exemption processes are needed in order to allow for use of platoons.
Acceptance: to make sure that there is enough political support to innovative vehicle concepts like platoons on European highways. What about public opinion? Drivers?
Market uptake: platoons are neither a national nor a one-brand issue: customers need multi-brand solutions for international transport.

4. How to drive forward
Development: further availability of enabling technologies and standards as well as upgrade of the infrastructure to platooning requirements.
Identification and review of existing legal and policy framework relevant for platooning.
Further joint research opportunities and show-case activities needed e.g. cross-border and multi-brand platooning, high-scale demonstrations, etc.
Strengthened and extended cooperation with all concerned stakeholders e.g. infrastructure, logistics, etc.
Clear political support and willingness to further implement platooning on EU roads.
To support market uptake of truck platooning through incentives, e.g. tolls/tax reduction, driver’s social legislation, etc.
Governance for the follow-up of ETPC: proper leadership and governance to ensure the success of future initiatives.

5. The role of manufacturers
Further develop enabling technologies and its applications, including communication standard for multi-brand platooning
Reflect on next steps of large-scale implementation
Share feedbacks about platooning in real-traffic conditions
Contribute with technical expertise to streamlining a positive framework, allowing for cross-border truck platooning on a normal basis.
Contribute with facts and figures regarding advantages and risks of platooning on EU roads
Perform large scale demonstrations, with the support of EU institutions and other stakeholders