Abstract
The reduced distances that can be achieved by truck platooning allow the reduction of drag resistance and therefore fuel consumption, gas emissions and costs for the transporters. However, this new way to configure trucks represents a new type of loading for pavement structures. This new type of loading is characterized by: (1) multiple load solicitations in a reduced period of time, (2) reduced inter-truck time gaps/distances, and (3) reduced lateral deviation of the vehicles forming the platoon, and therefore a more localized pavement damage. This paper investigates these effects and presents a case study based on the analysis of the effect of the number of trucks, of the load distribution, and of the inter-truck time gaps for high temperature conditions and low truck speeds. The results obtained confirm that at high temperatures, truck platoon configurations should be managed to try to reduce the transverse fatigue strains produced in flexible pavement structures.
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