[Chancellor Sharp] So tell us about platooning technology. What is that?
[Mike Lukuc] Platooning technology is an automated vehicle technology.
Our platooning technology uses forward-
looking sensors, sensors that detect the other vehicles and the
surroundings, the other objects. It allows the second truck follow the first vehicle.
Vehicles kind of following in a
formation and driver can disengage and he can
relax, take as hands off the wheel, feet
off the pedals.
[Chancellor Sharp] How many would you eventually have? And then what's possible?
Would you have two trucks like we were in or three trucks or four trucks, or?
[Lukuc] So we started to just to work on system issues,
but we're also simulating more and more
vehicles. If the technology is able to do
unlimited amount of length, they're
still there still issues with
potentially blocking exit ramps, for
example, engines ramps on a freeway.
[Chancellor Sharp] Why are we doing this? What's the advantage to the trucking company? What's the advantage to
state of Texas? What's the advantage for 
businesses to do the shipments like that?
[Lukuc] The research shows that at 65 miles an hour, a single truck spends about 65%
of the fuel in the vehicle,
of the the energy it's generating from
that fuel just to overcome the
aerodynamic drag of that big vehicle
being pushed down the road.
[Chancellor Sharp] Well, what's the difference between the fuel economy of the first truck and the second truck?
[Lukuc] The lead truck actually still sees the the benefit of 4% fuel savings.
The second truck sees an 8%, so all in all it's a 12% savings.
[Chancellor Sharp] TTI is heading up the research for lots of different companies maybe the feds, too?
[Lukuc] So, our project is sponsored by the Texas
Department of Transportation. We have nine 
public and private sector partners that
we've been able to talk into joining us
on this project.
[Chancellor Sharp] As usual, TTI does great transportation research, the best in the country.
