Self-ordering of fleet vehicles in a platoon

A method of self-ordering a first vehicle relative to one or more other vehicles to operate the first and one or more other vehicles in a platoon, the method comprising:

• within the first the first vehicle:
• monitoring through intra-vehicle communication a first quality parameter of a first driver of the first vehicle;
• monitoring, through inter-vehicle communication between the first vehicle and a second vehicle of the one or more other vehicles, a second quality parameter of a second driver of the second vehicle;
• determining a best driver from among the first and second drivers in accordance with a comparison between the first quality parameter of the first driver and the second quality parameter of the second driver;
• in accordance with a result of the comparison between first quality parameter of the first driver and the second quality parameter of the second driver:
• for a first result of the comparison, determining the first vehicle to be a leading vehicle relative to the second vehicle and generating a LEADER signal for use by the first vehicle to assume a leading position in the platoon relative to the second vehicle, or
• for a second result of the comparison, determining the first vehicle to be a following vehicle relative to the second vehicle and generating a FOLLOWER signal for use by the first vehicle to assume or maintain a following position in the platoon relative to the second vehicle;
• transmitting the monitored first quality parameter of the first driver of the first vehicle to a third vehicle via the inter-vehicle communication;
• receiving an Overtake_Request signal from the third vehicle via the inter-vehicle communication;
• and
• transmitting via the inter-vehicle communication to the third vehicle an Overtake_Granted signal conceding to the third vehicle by the second vehicle a leading position of the second vehicle in the platoon relative to the third vehicle.

A method of platoon management by a first vehicle relative to one or more other vehicles travelling together to selectively operate the first and one or more other vehicles in a platoon, the method comprising:

• within the first vehicle:
• monitoring through intra-vehicle communication a first safety and/or efficiency parameter of the first vehicle;
• monitoring, through inter-vehicle communication between the first vehicle and a second vehicle of the one or more other vehicles leading the first vehicle, a second safety and/or efficiency parameter of the second vehicle;
• determining as a relative capabilities parameter a magnitude of a difference between the first safety and/or efficiency parameter of the first vehicle and the second safety and/or efficiency parameter of the second vehicle;
• comparing the relative capabilities parameter with a predetermined capabilities threshold;
• and
• in accordance with a result of the comparison between the relative capabilities parameter and predetermined capabilities threshold:
• for a first result of the comparison, determining the second vehicle leading the first vehicle while travelling together to be a capable platoon leader vehicle relative to the first vehicle and generating a JOIN signal for use by the first vehicle to assume a following role in a platoon relative to the second vehicle, or
• for a second result of the comparison, determining the second vehicle leading the first vehicle while travelling together to be an incapable platoon leader vehicle relative to the first vehicle and generating a SPLIT signal for use by the first vehicle to discontinue the following role in the platoon relative to the second vehicle.

A system for platoon management by an associated first vehicle relative to one or more other vehicles travelling together to selectively operate the first and one or more other vehicles in a platoon, the system comprising:

• a platoon control unit configured to be disposed in the associated first vehicle, the platoon control unit comprising:
• a processor;
• a non-transient memory device operatively coupled with the processor;
• and
• logic stored in the non-transient memory and executable by the processor to:
• monitor through intra-vehicle communication a first safety and/or efficiency parameter of the first vehicle;
• monitor, through inter-vehicle communication between the first vehicle and a second vehicle of the one or more other vehicles leading the first vehicle, a second safety and/or efficiency parameter of the second vehicle;
• determine as a relative capabilities parameter a magnitude of a difference between the first safety and/or efficiency parameter of the first vehicle and the second safety and/or efficiency parameter of the second vehicle;
• compare the relative capabilities parameter with a predetermined capabilities threshold;
• and
• in accordance with a result of the comparison between the relative capabilities parameter and predetermined capabilities threshold:
• for a first result of the comparison, determine the second vehicle leading the first vehicle while travelling together to be a capable platoon leader vehicle relative to the first vehicle and generate a JOIN signal for use by the first vehicle to assume a following role in a platoon relative to the second vehicle, or
• for a second result of the comparison, determine the second vehicle leading the first vehicle while travelling together to be an incapable platoon leader vehicle relative to the first vehicle and generate a SPLIT signal for use by the first vehicle to discontinue the following role in the platoon relative to the second vehicle.