The Project

1. Interoperable platooning — when forming a scalable, multi-brand convoy – the vehicles must be compatible to ensure correct and safe operation. The project has defined two different ways of platooning, of which one will be implemented and demonstrated in the project, whilst reflecting the full diversity of trucks.
2. Safe platooning — in ENSEMBLE designing fail-safe and fault tolerant mechanisms is a priority to include safe interaction both within the platoon and with other road users using secure wireless communication. ENSEMBLE will approach the road authorities to jointly define road approval requirements taking into account the impact of platoons on the road and infrastructure.
3. Real-life platooning — Practical tests on closed testing grounds and in real life serve to an experience of ‘learning by doing’, to assess the impact on traffic and infrastructure and to promote multi-brand platooning through a presentation of a multi-brand platoon in real traffic conditions across national borders.
4. Embedded platooning — ENSEMBLE will design an interface to cloud-based services so that the platooning concept can be seamlessly integrated into the logistic value chain.

ENSEMBLE concludes there are two levels relevant for specifying platooning functions:

1. Platooning as a support function (including longitudinal control);
   • SAFETY improvement
   • Driver assistance
   • Traffic fluency  by coordinated and harmonised acceleration and deceleration of trucks
2. Platooning as an autonomous function (both including longitudinal and lateral control, system responsible, ODD still to be defined).
   • Fuel efficiency
   • Logistics operation eficiency