Cummins Inc.
Method and apparatus for platooning of vehicles

Abstract:

Platooning vehicles can result in operational cost savings. Disclosed is a method of apportioning costs that are incurred/saved as a result of platooning vehicles, as well as assigning penalties for unfair platoon participation. For example, platooning history of a vehicle can be tracked, and if that vehicle acts too often as a trailing vehicle in a series of platoons then a penalty might be assigned to that vehicle. Also disclosed is a technique for operating a platoon in the presence of external factors such as municipal regulations, merging traffic, emergency vehicles, etc.