Value Added Trucking (V.A.T.)

From taking stock to practical testing

First of all, the administrative processes and tasks in a transport environment are listed and analysed with regard to the possibility of performing them in a mobile environment. Then the preconditions (adaptation of the cab, ICT equipment, etc.) for this are set out. Finally, during practical testing, a series of specific actions is carried out in a moving vehicle, with the passenger seat serving as a simulator for a truly self-driving vehicle.

Two types

In this project, no distinction is made between the two different types of self-driving trucks currently emerging. With both platooning (1) and self-steering trucks (2), time is freed up for the driver when traffic conditions allow the truck to be driven on autopilot.

(1) several trucks drive behind one another in a column in which the following vehicles are connected to the leading vehicle by Wi-Fi
(2) an individual truck self-steers based on sensors, cameras and sometimes information from a central transport platform

Be prepared

The Dutch are taking the lead in testing self-driving vehicles on public roads. Federal Minister Jacqueline Galant recently confirmed that Belgium was also very interested in carrying out these tests in our country.

A key expectation behind this project is that self-driving vehicles will make their debut on the roads of Europe – and therefore Flanders – by 2020. This project represents an ideal way for companies to prepare for this major (r)evolution and capitalize on it. The business case analysis also clearly shows the maximum added value created by transferring administrative or other tasks to the cab of a self-driving vehicle.

Partner

In this project, VIL works with Hasselt University, which specializes in fatigue-related research and testing.