UPLIFTS: Urban Platooning and Logistics In Future Transportation Systems

This project aims to tackle system-wide energy inefficiencies in urban transportation through the development of a new technology called Urban Platooning and Logistics In Future Transportation Systems (UPLIFTS). This innovative software toolkit focuses on optimizing dynamic urban platooning to significantly reduce system-level energy consumption, addressing challenges unique to urban environments. The proposed SBIR Phase I effort comprehensively assess the scientific and technical feasibility of UPLIFTS, concentrating on optimizing stop-to-stop trajectories for urban platooning. Unlike previous studies on truck platooning in highway settings, this research addresses the inefficiencies posed by dynamic platooning, investigating the impact of vehicle heterogeneity on energy efficiency during platoon growth and contraction. The tightly structured Phase I effort is devised to thoroughly evaluate, in so far as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of UPLIFTS technology. Specifically, Phase I effort will concentrate on developing characterizations of vehicle classes, acceptance rules, and optimization criteria necessary for implementing dynamic platooning algorithms, including a proof-of-concept algorithm suite for UPLIFTS will be implemented to generate metadata as well as essential insights for guiding the development of the Phase II proposal. In addition, specific details of collaborative efforts with industry and government laboratories, especially National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), will be implemented and finalized to facilitate comprehensive evaluation and commercialization initiatives from the very beginning of Phase II effort. UPLIFTS has the potential to revolutionize urban transportation by achieving up to 50% energy reduction with optimized trajectories in the case of electric vehicle platoons. Beyond energy efficiency, the proposed technology contributes to urban decongestion. Phase II is envisioned to leverage Phase I findings for the development of firmware/software tools, fostering collaboration with commercialization partners for broader implementation.