Drone-Based Decentralized Truck Platooning with UWB Sensing and Control

Abstract

Truck platooning is a promising approach for reducing fuel consumption, improving road safety, and optimizing transport logistics. This paper presents a drone-based decentralized truck platooning system that leverages the advantages of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise positioning, robust communication, and real-time control. Our approach integrates UWB sensors on both trucks and drones, creating a scalable and resilient platooning system that can handle dynamic traffic conditions and varying road environments. The decentralized nature of the proposed system allows for increased flexibility and adaptability compared to traditional centralized platooning approaches. The core platooning algorithm employs multi-objective optimization, taking into account fuel efficiency, travel time, and safety. We propose a strategy for the formation and management of platoons based on UWB sensor data with an emphasis on maintaining optimal inter-vehicle secure distances and compatibility between trucks. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in achieving efficient and stable platooning while addressing the challenges posed by real-world traffic scenarios. The proposed drone-based decentralized platooning system with UWB technology paves the way for the next generation of intelligent transportation systems that are more efficient, safer, and environment friendly.