Improving the efficiency of transportation convoys using unmanned vehicles

The object of this study is the movement process of a vehicle convoy formed with the help of unmanned vehicles. The research aims to solve the task related to improving the controllability, maneuverability, energy efficiency of vehicle convoys, as well as the throughput capacity of roads. One of the ways to address this issue is the use of unmanned vehicles. The subject of this study is the assessment of the possibility to improve the indicators of maneuverability, controllability, energy efficiency of vehicle convoys, as well as the throughput capacity of roads, through the use of unmanned vehicles. During the study, the concepts of controllability and maneuverability of unmanned vehicle convoys have been defined. The relationship between the use of unmanned vehicles and the improvement of maneuverability and controllability of convoys was established. The use of unmanned vehicles makes it possible to eliminate the need to consider braking distance when setting inter-vehicle distances and to reduce the safety gap from 5 meters to zero. The paper shows that the use of unmanned vehicle convoys improves maneuverability and controllability compared to conventional convoys. For example, the time to pass a short road section for a convoy of 40 vehicles traveling at 90 km/h is reduced by 60 seconds, and the length of a convoy of 20 vehicles moving at the same speed is reduced by 800 meters. An evaluation of the reduction in energy consumption for convoys with unmanned vehicles was carried out. A condition was derived, the fulfillment of which ensures a reduction in additional engine energy losses through the use of unmanned vehicles in a convoy. Applying the results will make it possible to bring the efficiency of road transport to the level of railroad transport, which is achieved by assembling vehicle trains