Improving the efficiency of transportation convoys using unmanned vehicles

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.327109

Keywords:

vehicle convoy, unmanned vehicle, convoy maneuverability, convoy controllability, convoy speed, road throughput capacity

Abstract

The object of this study is the movement process of a vehicle convoy formed with the help of unmanned vehicles.

The research aims to solve the task related to improving the controllability, maneuverability, energy efficiency of vehicle convoys, as well as the throughput capacity of roads. One of the ways to address this issue is the use of unmanned vehicles.

The subject of this study is the assessment of the possibility to improve the indicators of maneuverability, controllability, energy efficiency of vehicle convoys, as well as the throughput capacity of roads, through the use of unmanned vehicles.

During the study, the concepts of controllability and maneuverability of unmanned vehicle convoys have been defined. The relationship between the use of unmanned vehicles and the improvement of maneuverability and controllability of convoys was established. The use of unmanned vehicles makes it possible to eliminate the need to consider braking distance when setting inter-vehicle distances and to reduce the safety gap from 5 meters to zero.

The paper shows that the use of unmanned vehicle convoys improves maneuverability and controllability compared to conventional convoys. For example, the time to pass a short road section for a convoy of 40 vehicles traveling at 90 km/h is reduced by 60 seconds, and the length of a convoy of 20 vehicles moving at the same speed is reduced by 800 meters.

An evaluation of the reduction in energy consumption for convoys with unmanned vehicles was carried out. A condition was derived, the fulfillment of which ensures a reduction in additional engine energy losses through the use of unmanned vehicles in a convoy.

Applying the results will make it possible to bring the efficiency of road transport to the level of railroad transport, which is achieved by assembling vehicle trains

Author Biographies

Mikhail Podrigalo, Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Head of Department

Department of Technology of Machinery Manufacturing and Machine Maintenance

Ruslan Kaidalov, National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Deputy Head of the Academy for Scientific Work

Igor Gritsuk, Kherson State Maritime Academy; Chernihiv Polytechnic National University

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor

Department of Ship Power Plants Operation

Department of Automobile Transport and Industrial Engineering

Stanislav Horielyshev, National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine

PhD, Associate Professor, Leading Researcher

Scientific and Research Center of Service and Military Activities of the National Guard of Ukraine

Andrіy Nikorchuk, National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine

PhD, Associate Professor, Doctoral and Adjunct Doctoral Student

Dmytro Klets, Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Leading Researcher

Department of Technology of Machinery Manufacturing and Machine Maintenance

Serhii Sokolovskyi, Transport Academy of Ukraine

PhD, Associate Professor

Full Member

Inna Shevchenko, Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University

Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Dean

Faculty of Management and Business

Mykhailo Kholodov, Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Cars named after A.B. Gredeskul

Dmitro Baulin, National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine

PhD, Leading Researcher

Scientific and Research Center of Service and Military Activities of the National Guard of Ukraine

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Improving the efficiency of transportation convoys using unmanned vehicles

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Published

2025-04-29

How to Cite

Podrigalo, M., Kaidalov, R., Gritsuk, I., Horielyshev, S., Nikorchuk, A., Klets, D., Sokolovskyi, S., Shevchenko, I., Kholodov, M., & Baulin, D. (2025). Improving the efficiency of transportation convoys using unmanned vehicles. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 2(3 (134), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.327109

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Section

Control processes