Fatigue Life Predictions for a European Pavement Test Section Subjected to Individual and Platoon Truck Configurations

Truck platooning for the transportation of loads is a strategy recently proposed by automotive sector to cope with traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and operational costs. This new way configuring trucks changes typical pressures pavements structures experience. For this reason, research efforts pavement should be aligned propose road-friendly platoon configurations. one objectives European project ENSEMBLE. ENSEMBLE, as indicated its acronym, works on ENabling SafE Multi-Brand pLatooning Europe. In context, present study presents real scale test done in Applus IDIADA facilities evaluate fatigue behavior structure subjected individual truck The effects parameters such distribution through year time day, percentage platoons, loads, number configuration, lateral wandering, inter-truck distances were evaluated. study’s findings revealed that reduced rest times between configuration reduce recovery asphalt layers, increasing damage at high temperature conditions. underlines need further allow proper implementation platoons. example, needed define strategies make configurations more pavement-friendly analyze costs associated required road maintenance/rehabilitation treatments, among others.