Reduced drag

An automated way of allowing cars to drive much closer to each other in heavy moving traffic, so-called platooning, could cut congestion, save fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to researchers in India.

As the number of vehicles on the roads in cities and motorways across Europe, North America and the developing world rises, traditional ways of tackling the problem, such as simply building more roads or improving public transport are becoming less and less effective. Automated highway systems are one of the many approaches that have been suggested to tackle the problems.

Driving a lot closer than a safe stopping distance from the vehicle in front is not a sensible option. Yet, according to Debojyoti Mitra and Asis Mazumdar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, in heavy traffic, these safe distances mean more tailgate turbulence and increased drag on individual vehicles, which results in lower fuel efficiency.