Volvo develop ‘car train’ technology

Volvo has spent the last three years working on the Safe Road Trains for the Environment known as SARTRE. It entails joining a number of cars together in a (car train) convoy which is controlled by a lorry at the head of the line. The technology allows vehicle convoys to operate on normal public highways with significant environmental, safety and comfort benefits. All a motorist has to do is join the convoy which is led by a lorry which uses a radio signal to control the cars behind it. Drivers can, by pressing a button on the dashboard, signal their intention to leave the convoy and resume control of the car.

According to Volvo the car train is ideal for lengthy motorway journeys. Not only do drivers make better use of their time, but the smooth ride lowers fuel consumption by 20 per cent, relieves congestion and decreases pollution. It also uses technology which is already in place such as “adaptive cruise control” which, instead of setting the speed, fixes the distance a car is from the vehicle in front.

The long term vision of the SARTRE project has been to create a transport system where booking, joining and exiting a road train will be a smoother experience than leaving your car behind and using public transport on long distance trips.

It is the latest take on self driving cars which are seen as safer because they take the risk of human error out of motoring. Sweden and Belgium are seen as the countries which will lead the way in adopting the technology once official approval has been given.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research and Innovation said “this technology is a promising example of an innovative approach to making transport greener, safer and smarter.”