Sustainability and Efficiency Benefits of Commercial Vehicle Platooning

This study evaluates the impact of dedicating an existing highway lane as an Exclusive Truck Platooning Lane (ETPL). Using real-world traffic data, the analysis highlights operational efficiency and environmental benefits before and after ETPL implementation, focusing on Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) corridors. The study reallocates the existing rightmost lane, prioritizing freight traffic to improve performance. Advanced simulation tools such as VISSIM and MOVES, combined with GIS-based spatial analysis, were employed to assess travel time and emissions impacts under various scenarios. These included alternate speeds, traffic volumes, and lane configurations. The results demonstrated that ETPL implementation significantly reduced travel time and emissions for freight trucks. The findings also revealed a minor increase in passenger vehicle travel time; however, the associated costs were negligible compared to the substantial savings achieved through improved freight efficiency. Emission reductions were visualized through GIS-generated heat maps across the study area, with the greatest benefits observed at lower speeds. This methodology provides actionable insights for decision-makers, identifying high-priority corridors for targeted interventions and resource allocation, ultimately enhancing traffic flow and reducing environmental impacts.