The Benefits of Truck Platooning with an Increasing Market Penetration: A Case Study in Japan

Abstract

Truck platooning can potentially reduce carbon emissions caused by the road freight sector because fuel consumption would be reduced when trucks travel in a platoon. While research about the coordination and benefits of truck platooning is underway, the high costs of such technology suggest it will be several years before significant market penetration is achieved. In this study, we develop an improved mixed-integer linear programming model to optimize the formation and route of truck platooning. Then the model is applied to Japanese 10th logistic census data to estimate the benefits and formation pattern of truck platooning with the increase in the market penetration of platooning technologies. The results of the numerical calculations indicate that the largest total cost saving rate, matching rate and fuel saving rate are 1.15%, 57% and 5.7%, respectively. These three rates were all found to increase at first and then decrease as more and more trucks become platoonable, implying that truck platooning is profitable even in the initial stage and that not all trucks are suited to joining a platoon. Furthermore, several scenarios, including a discount on toll fees and different inter-vehicle distances, are considered to determine the effect of these factors on the benefits of truck platooning.