Midwest Launches Innovative Truck Automation Project on I-70
A pioneering effort to enhance truck automation technology in the Midwest kicked off today, as two tractor-trailers featuring automated truck platooning traveled along Interstate 70 between Columbus and Indianapolis. This initiative, a partnership between the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio program and the Indiana Department of Transportation, is designed to improve logistics efficiency and safety.
Ohio and Indiana have long utilized their strategic location and exceptional transportation networks to lead in logistics. Safety is the top priority at ODOT, with a commitment to reducing roadway fatalities. Vehicle automation technology is a key part of that mission.
The trucks, operated by EASE Logistics, utilize platooning technology from Kratos Defense. This system connects the two vehicles electronically, allowing the lead driver to manage the speed and direction of the following truck. The trailing vehicle can autonomously steer, accelerate, and brake, ensuring a safe and efficient experience. Professional drivers remain in both trucks to take over if needed.
The advanced automated truck platooning technology has been adapted from military use to tackle significant challenges in commercial logistics. This initiative provides a valuable opportunity to showcase how established automated driving systems can enhance safety, bolster supply chain resilience, and support economic growth.
EASE Logistics has demonstrated its dedication to innovation and safety through the I-70 project, adopting a Crawl/Walk/Run pre-deployment approach and mandating 260 hours of rigorous training for drivers to ensure they are thoroughly equipped.
The trucks are also fitted with cameras and sensors for detecting obstacles, enabling the following vehicle to adjust its speed or stop as needed. A purple light on the cab signals when the trucks are in platooning mode, notifying law enforcement of their digital connection.
This technology creates a comprehensive safety system with built-in redundancies that can enhance roadway safety. Automated vehicles do not face the same risks as human drivers, such as impairment, distraction, fatigue, or reckless speeding.
The $8.8 million project, partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, seeks to incorporate varying levels of automation into the routine operations of truck fleets. Later this year, ODOT and INDOT plan to solicit proposals for further automated truck deployments across Ohio and Indiana.
