The world's first cross-border initiative with semi-autonomous smart trucks will take place in Europe early next month.

Six European truck manufacturers – DAF Trucks, Daimler Trucks, Iveco, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania and Volvo Group –will take platoons of semi-automated trucks to public roads, crossing borders from various European cities in order to reach their final destination of the Port of Rotterdam on April 6.

The objective of this European Truck Platooning Challenge is to accelerate the introduction of truck platoons by putting the subject high on the agenda of EU policy makers.

The Platooning Challenge – organised by the Netherlands as part of its ongoing EU Presidency – fosters European cooperation between truck manufacturers, member states, logistics service providers, road operators, road and vehicle approval authorities, research institutes and governments.

Such cooperation on platooning is vital to prevent countries from creating a patchwork of rules and regulations, which could hinder investments in automated and connected vehicles.

Truck platooning is the linking of two or three trucks in a convoy.

These vehicles closely follow each other at a set, close distance by using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems.

The truck at the head of the platoon acts as the leader, with the vehicles behind reacting and adapting to changes in its movement. For example, if the platoon leader brakes, all the other trucks in the platoon also brake.

Platooning results in lower fuel consumption, as the trucks drive closer together at a constant speed, with less braking and accelerating.

Truck platooning therefore has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 10%.

Likewise, connected driving can help improve safety, as braking is automatic with virtually zero reaction time compared to human braking.

Finally, platooning also optimises transport by using roads more effectively, helping deliver goods faster and reducing traffic jams.