Event focus: TRL’s HGV platooning trial showcase, 14 July, London

TRL and its consortium partners are hosting an end of project showcase for HelmUK – the world’s first HGV platooning trial to take place in a live commercial operating environment – in London on 14 July.

The free-to-attend afternoon event moderated by BBC's Science & Innovation correspondent Richard Westcott, is an opportunity to hear from industry experts and members of the consortium, who will discuss the project’s achievements and the implications of the findings for the road freight industry and for road operators – as well as the value of the trial results in the context of the wider transport automation and decarbonisation agendas.

During the HelmUK trials, three lorries were specially adapted with platooning technology, which enabled them to travel in a platoon, with speed and braking of the following lorries reacting to the actions of the lead lorry. The technology allowed the space between the lorries to be substantially decreased without increasing the risk to other road users.

HelmUK was funded by the Department for Transport and delivered under the technical leadership of National Highways. The project was carried out by the HelmUK consortium formed of programme lead, TRL and the partners DAF Trucks UK, DHL, Connected Places Catapult, UTAC, TNO, Ricardo, Costain, Apollo Vehicle Safety and VisionTrack

The event starts with a buffet lunch at 12.30pm and ends with networking drinks from 5pm. Click here to register