Reducing road congestion and air pollution with ICT-based platooning

Platooning connects a fleet of (normally heavy) vehicles, allowing them to travel close together in a coordinated and synchronized manner. The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can contribute to make this solution more effective. The reduction of road congestion and air pollution emerges as potential benefits of this solution. Yet, the actual impacts on congestion remain a contentious subject, with outcomes heavily dependent on the specific indicators under examination, such as travel time, average speed, or delays, and the type of vehicles involved. Through a concept-centric approach, this study aims to investigate the impacts on both traffic congestion and polluting emissions deriving from the implementation of ICT-based platooning. Key research areas encompass route optimization, scheduling, and trajectory planning. Anticipated positive outcomes include improved fuel efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas and air pollution, and alleviation of traffic congestion. Notably, this paper expands the platooning concept beyond heavy goods vehicles to include passenger and public transport. The article identifies potential gaps in knowledge and highlights areas requiring further exploration. More structured approaches may better capture the potential long-term effects of platooning, considering factors like demand fluctuations, change in modal share and the influence on traffic patterns.