AWARD

Testing driverless heavy-duty vehicles in adverse weather conditions

The All Weather Autonomous Real logistics operations and Demonstrations (AWARD) project addressed a crucial challenge facing the logistics industry: a growing global demand for freight transport coupled with a critical shortage of truck drivers. Driverless heavy-duty vehicles with a wide variety of uses emerged as a promising solution with the potential to revolutionise the industry.

The project aimed to accelerate the deployment of connected and automated freight transport solutions across Europe. To this end, trial operations were conducted in adverse weather conditions, in both closed areas and mixed traffic, to assess the safety and efficiency of automated commercial freight operations.

IRU's role

IRU took the lead in identifying market opportunities, defining new business models and analysing regulatory frameworks. These three areas are essential for the deployment of driverless heavy-duty vehicles.

Drawing on its vast network of freight transport members and extensive industry expertise, IRU provided valuable insights on users’ needs. This is particularly important to ensure the successful market penetration of automated heavy-duty vehicles. IRU also supported AWARD’s dissemination and communication efforts by engaging with its member associations and facilitating the transfer of knowledge from the project to the industry.

Project results

AWARD paves the way for the rollout of driverless heavy-duty vehicles for a wide variety of uses. The project demonstrated the real-world application of autonomous driving solutions in all types of adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, snowfall and fog. Over a period of three years , the project successfully tested four distinct applications for self-driving vehicles including: automated forklift loading and unloading, hub-to-hub shuttle service on public roads, automated baggage dispatching at airports and trailer transfer operations and portside vessel loading.

The project also provided comprehensive recommendations on how to successfully bring driverless heavy-duty vehicles to the market. IRU’s contribution extended beyond the technological advancements of autonomous driving vehicles, focusing on essential business and policy aspects as well. Following an extensive market analysis and the identification of the value proposition and unique selling point of each AWARD use-case, IRU developed a sustainable generic business model for autonomous vehicles in logistics.

Overall, the project offeres exciting insights into the present and future of autonomous vehicles in logistics and beyond. IRU remains committed to collaborating with its members and with policymakers to explore the widespread adoption of this transformative technology.