Federal infrastructure minister Warren Truss has backed a look at ‘platooning’ truck technology as a way to boost productivity.

Truss has publicly endorsed the point in the National Transport Commission (NTC) strategy paper, which said the semi-automated vehicles could be a good way to boost efficiency and productivity. 

‘Platooning’ uses wireless technology to link series of trucks together, pulling a platoon behind a leading vehicle in a formation that reduces wind resistance and saves fuel.

“Platooning is an example of a potential future initiative that could be made possible by Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems [C-ITS] – systems that allow vehicles to communicate directly with each other, and thereby enable a broad range of safety and productivity benefits for vehicle drivers, industry and the broader community,” Mr Truss’ spokesperson told industry press Australasian Transport News.

“The technology required for these applications is being developed globally and in Australia.

“Much work is required by governments to consider the policy, operational and regulatory issues associated with such initiatives to ensure they could be implemented safely, and the National Transport Commission is playing a leadership role in considering those issues.”

Truck-maker Scania says recent industrial research showed fuel use may be cut by as much as 15 per cent by the technique.