Edge-based platoon control

Platooning of cars or trucks is one the most relevant applications autonomous driving, since it has potential to greatly improve efficiency in road utilization and fuel consumption. Traditional proposals vehicle platooning were based on distributed architectures with computation board platoon vehicles direct vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications (or Dedicated Short Range Communication—DSRC), possibly support roadside units. However, introduction 5G technology computing elements at edge network, according multi-access (MEC) paradigm, possibility emerges placing control platoons MEC, several significant advantages respect V2V approach. For this reason, article we investigate feasibility an edge-based scenario where speed acceleration managed by network through its MEC facilities, a platooning-as-a-service (PaaS) paradigm. Using detailed simulator, show that, realistic values latency packet loss probability, as well engines inertia vehicles, large can be effectively controlled hosts. On hand, unveil that viable robust solution. other also shed light necessity consider characteristics profiles, they yield severe, yet not critical, performance degradation simple models.