The leader of the world’s first platooning trials to take place in a live operating environment will take to the stage on May 16 at the Microlise Transport Conference, giving an update on the findings so far.

TRL, appointed in August by Highways England and the Department for Transport (DfT) to lead the trials, will outline how they will perform an independent evaluation of the technology’s potential for UK roads, including an assessment of the effects on fuel use, harmful tailpipe emissions, congestion and road safety.

“The aim of the trial is to provide an independent impact assessment and to quantify possible benefits and disbenefits,” said Rob Wallis, TRL CEO and confirmed speaker at Europe’s largest road transport conference. “Having succeeded with our consortium partners to secure government backing, and having already made an excellent start, we will be in a position to share progress so far at the Microlise Transport Conference in May.”

During the presentation, Wallis will provide an overview of the project, outlining the methodology and highlighting that safety is paramount, with strict criteria which must be met before testing and trials can take place on England’s Strategic Road Network.

The Microlise Transport Conference last year attracted more than 1,200 transport professionals. The free-to-attend event, which will again take place at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, includes a full day’s programme supported by focused workshops, a sizable exhibition area and an all new innovation zone.

“Innovation is a fundamental element of the Microlise Transport Conference,” said Bob Harbey, Microlise Executive Director. “HGV Platooning has captured newspaper headlines, and the imagination of the general public, for being very innovative. We want to get to the heart of the topic and understand what the potential benefits, and possible downsides, might be for our industry and more broadly, for the world. It’s great to have TRL join our exciting agenda to give a behind the scenes glimpse of the platooning trials.”

Past conference speakers include some of the industry’s most distinguished influencers including HRH The Princess Royal, the industry’s biggest transport operators, the DVSA and Transport for London. Almost all of Europe’s major HGV manufacturers have also been represented.

At the conference, the Microlise Driver of the Year Awards will again celebrate the UK’s most talented HGV drivers, both through analysis of more than 180,000 anonymous drivers’ telematics data, and via industry nominated categories. These include HGV Hero, Lifetime Achievement, Extra Mile, Most Improved and Young Driver of the Year.

Registration for event can be completed via the conference website, which can be found at www.microliseconference.com.

Microlise Transport Conference

About the Author: John Loughran