PlatoonSim: Autonomous Truck Platooning Simulation Framework

The emergence of autonomous technologies has presented the concept of autonomous truck platooning (ATP), which provides a substantial chance to improve fuel efficiency and road safety by allowing convoys of semi-autonomous trucks to drive in a coordinated fashion. Nonetheless, regulatory limitations and insufficient data have impeded its implementation. To tackle these difficulties, we introduce PlatoonSim, a simulation framework intended to replicate real-world ATP operations and gather comprehensive data on system performance and driver behavior. PlatoonSim utilizes American Truck Simulator to replicate convoy interactions, including intra-platoon communication, external disruptions from other vehicles, and human-vehicle interactions. The system integrates many sensors to collect data on ambient conditions, driver health, stress levels, and visual inputs, while essential roles such as operators, coordinators, and interrupters oversee convoy synchronization and responses to real-time disruptions. PlatoonSim facilitates a regulated testing environment, allowing for the acquisition of critical data to assess the safety, reliability, and efficiency of ATP systems. This research seeks to substantiate the case for ATP by providing insights that can enhance regulatory frameworks and refine the design of autonomous convoy technology.