Editing Platoon (automobile) (section)

{{Short description|Group of vehicles travelling separately but following another}}
[[File:Platooning Back 022414 Final noTpye.jpg|thumb]]
{{Self-driving car}}
In [[transportation]], '''platooning''' or '''flocking''' is a method for [[driving]] a group of vehicles together. It is meant to increase the capacity of [[road]]s via an automated highway system.<ref>{{citation |title=The Aerodynamic Performance of Platoons |author=Zabat, Stabile, Frascaroll, Browand |journal=Path Research Report |issn=1055-1425 |url=http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Research/Featured/0199/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719153152/http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Research/Featured/0199/ |archive-date=2011-07-19 }}</ref>

Platoons decrease the distances between cars or trucks using electronic, and possibly mechanical, coupling. This capability would allow many [[automobile|car]]s or trucks to accelerate or brake simultaneously. This system also allows for a closer [[headway]] between vehicles by eliminating [[Braking distance|reacting distance]] needed for human reaction.

Platoon capability might require buying new vehicles, or it may be something that can be [[Retrofitting|retrofitted]]. Drivers would probably need a special license endorsement on account of the new skills required and the added responsibility when driving in the lead.

[[Vehicular automation|Smart car]]s with [[artificial intelligence]] could automatically join and leave platoons. The automated highway system is a proposal for one such system, where cars organise themselves into platoons of 8 to 25.