WO2019089699A1

WO2019089699A1 - Method and apparatus for adaptive platooning of vehicles for thermal management

Info

Publication number: WO2019089699A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/058364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Akash S. Desai; Edmund P. Hodzen; Hoseinali Borhan
Original assignee: Cummins Inc.
Priority date: 2017-10-31
Filing date: 2018-10-31
Publication date: 2019-05-09

Abstract

Platooning vehicles can result in operational advantages. The distance between a leading vehicle and a trailing vehicle is controlled to provide thermal management for the trailing vehicle in response to a warm-up or cold start condition. The order of the vehicles can also be changed in response to the temperature condition of one or more vehicles in the platoon.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTIVE PLATOONING OF VEHICLES FOR

THERMAL MANAGEMENT

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

[0001] This invention was made with Government support under DE-AR0000793 awarded by DOE, Office of ARPA-E. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

Cross-Reference to Related Application:

[0002] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional

Application Ser. No. 62/579,331 filed on October 31 , 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention generally relates to platooning of vehicles, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to adaptive platooning of vehicles for thermal management of one or more vehicles within the platoon.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Operating vehicles in a platoon arrangement remains an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings relative to certain applications.

Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. SUMMARY

[0005] One embodiment of the present application is directed to methods, systems, apparatuses for platooning of vehicles for thermal management of one or more the vehicles in the platoon. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for adaptive platooning of vehicles for thermal management purposes. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of platooning vehicles.

[0007] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of an apparatus useful to operate a platoon of vehicles for thermal management.

[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method useful to operate a platoon of vehicles for thermal management.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0010] With reference to FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a schematic view of an example vehicle platoon system 100 including a lead vehicle 101 a and a number of trail vehicles 101 b, 101 c, etc., which are collectively and individually referred to herein as a vehicle or vehicles 101 . Each of the vehicles 101 includes a powertrain 102, such as an internal combustion engine and/or electric motor/battery system, structured to generate power for the vehicle 101 . The vehicle 101 can sometimes be referred to as and is intended to cover a wide range of vehicles such as trucks, tractor-trailers, box trucks, busses, passenger cars, etc. The vehicles 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 are depicted as tractor trailers, but any type of vehicle is thus contemplated herein. Several vehicles 101 are illustrated in a platooning operation in which the vehicles act together to reduce overall fuel costs and improve operation. Although only three vehicle systems 101 are illustrated, any number of two or more vehicles can be used.

[0011] Platooning vehicles can be described as a state where a series of vehicles 101 are linked together by telematics or GPS where the control units or vehicles

communicate to traverse in a line as an operational cost efficient strategy. The lead vehicle 101 a may in some embodiments be equipped with aerodynamic capability (wind assist panels on cab & trailer, aerodynamic tractor body) that creates a laminar flow of air (tunnel or slipstream effect) that greatly reduces air drag. In any embodiment, the distance between the lead vehicle 101 a and trail vehicle 101 b, and between adjacent trail vehicles 101 b, 101 c, is managed to be spaced close enough to take advantage of the "tunnel" or "slipstream" effect and/or reduced aerodynamic drag forces and thus increase fuel economy. The vehicles 101 may be autonomous vehicles without a driver, or include a driver with an advanced driver assist system that directs or provides information to the driver to maneuver the vehicle in the platoon system 100.

[0012] The inventors have discovered that reducing the distance between the vehicles 101 can also lead to higher engine coolant temperature in the trailing vehicles due to air flow into and around the powertrain 102 being reduced. This can lead to reduced radiator effectiveness and higher outlet air temperature. For electrified powertrains, the reduced airflow can result in higher power consumption due to forced airflow events to provide powertrain cooling.

[0013] The present application provides methods, apparatuses and systems that take these potential efficiency reduction events to provide thermal management benefits for the powertrain and/or aftertreatment systems of trail vehicles in a platoon system 100. For example, in response to a cold-start or a warm-up condition for the powertrain of one or more of the vehicles 101 , the spacing distance from the vehicle 101 b, 101 c to a preceding leading vehicle 101 a, 101 b can be reduced to reduce airflow and facilitate increasing the temperature of the powertrain and/or aftertreatment system, thus initiating and reducing the duration of a cold start or warm-up mode of operation. The cold start and/or or warm-up mode of operation is typically designed to rapidly create a threshold operating temperature that brings, for example, the powertrain and/or aftertreatment system to a warmed-up temperature threshold associated with efficient operation. The warmed up temperature threshold can be a fixed value, but can also be a value that varies according to engine speed, output torque, ambient conditions, route conditions, and/or other operating parameter of the vehicle 101 .

[0014] One or more of the vehicles 101 can include an electronic controller 104 used to regulate various aspects of the platooning arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 and discussed herein. The electronic controller 104 can be a single device or alternatively composed of a number of separate devices acting in concert. The electronic controller 104 can be comprised of digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a hybrid combination of both of these types. Also, the electronic controller 104 can be programmable, an integrated state machine, or a hybrid combination thereof. The electronic controller 104 can include one or more Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), memories, limiters, conditioners, filters, format converters, or the like which are not shown to preserve clarity. In one form, the electronic controller 104 is of a programmable variety that executes algorithms and processes data in accordance with operating logic that is defined by programming instructions (such as software or firmware). Alternatively or additionally, operating logic for the electronic controller 104 can be at least partially defined by hardwired logic or other hardware.

[0015] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an exemplary control system 130 including an electronic controller 104 useful to control various aspects of one or more platoon systems 100 and/or vehicles 101 within a platoon system 100, as well as the platooning techniques described herein. In one form an electronic controller 104 is included in each individual vehicle 101 , but in some forms the electronic controller 104 will be understood to be the collective control functionality as the vehicles 101

cooperate to platoon using the techniques described below.

[0016] The electronic controller 104 can include one or more of the following

(depending on the capabilities of any given vehicle 101 ) an engine control module (ECM) 106, vehicle operator input (VOI) system 108, human-machine interface (HMI) system 1 10, GPS system 1 12, vehicle-to-X communication (V2X) system 1 14, vehicle proximity sensor (VPS) system 1 16, and a calibration interface 1 18 which supports communication with an electronic system calibration tool. It shall be appreciated that VOI system 108 is an example of a system structured to provide operator input via one or more vehicle controls that is used to control the vehicle. It shall be further

appreciated that systems 1 10, 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, and 1 18 are examples of systems that are structured to receive information from a source external to a vehicle which relates to vehicle environment factors, location factors, mission factors, warranty factors, operator- specified factors, and/or fleet-specified factors. Electronic controller 104 may also include a number of additional or alternate systems and/or additional or alternate inputs.

[0017] VOI system 108 provides information pertaining to vehicle operator control commands to ECM 106. The provided information may include brake pedal position information, accelerator pedal position information, cruise control setting information, and other information provided by a vehicle operator via one or more vehicle control devices or systems. ECM 106 may process the received information to determine additional information including, for example, brake pedal position rate of change information, brake pedal actuation frequency information, accelerator pedal position rate of change information, and accelerator pedal actuation frequency information. In certain embodiments such additional information may be determined by VOI system 108 prior to being provided to ECM 106.

[0018] ECM 106 may utilizes the information received from system 100 in determining commands for controlling various operational aspects of the vehicle 101 , for example, engine control commands, fueling control commands, transmission shift commands, and brake actuation commands, among others.

[0019] HMI system 1 10 includes a human-machine interface through which a vehicle operator or another person may provide additional information from a source external to the vehicle system. The human-machine interface may comprise a touch screen display, keypad or other device through which information may be input. The human- machine interface may also comprise a wireless communication system allowing a person remote from the vehicle to input information. The provided information may include information relating to the existence and/or duration of extended idle conditions, mission performance parameters (e.g., mission route, mission length, length or duration of certain mission activities, platooning or convoying opportunities, route planning, and weather or traffic planning), requirements for shore power (e.g., auxiliary power unit (APU) devices such as no-idle climate control systems or other power take off (PTO) devices), and warranty information, among other information. The provided information may include information related to operator-specified factors including, for example, fuel cost, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) cost, fuel and/or DEF availability, fuel and/or DEF supply or purchase agreements, sociability constraints, peak performance requests, and on/off-road use, among others. The provided information may include information related to fleet-specified factors including, for example, emissions banking and credit trading, load management, and customer or fleet operator preferences.

[0020] GPS system 1 12 provides information pertaining to vehicle location to ECM 106. The vehicle location information may be received by a receiver of vehicle 101 as a wireless signal from a satellite-based global positioning system. The received

information may be provided to ECM 106 in the form received or may be pre-processed to decode or change the format or organization of the received information.

[0021] V2X system 1 14 provides information received from one or more external sources to ECM 106. The information may be received by a receiver or transceiver of system 1 14 as a wireless communication signal from a variety of different sources equipped with a wireless transmitter or transceiver including, for example, other vehicles, traffic lights and other traffic signals, utility grid devices or systems, stationary transceivers in communication with other communication networks and remote servers or human-staffed computing systems also in communication with the other

communication networks. The provided information may include information related to road or traffic signal conditions, information related to weather conditions, information related to warranty factors, information related to operator-specified factors including, for example, fuel cost, DEF cost, fuel availability, fuel agreements, sociability

constraints, peak performance requests, on/off-road use, information related to fleet- specified factors including, for example, emissions banking and credit trading, load management, and customer or fleet operator preferences. [0022] V2X system 1 14 may be utilized in connection with intelligent transport systems (ITS) which comprise systems that integrate of information and communication technologies with transport infrastructure to improve economic performance, safety, mobility and environmental sustainability. An exemplary ITS includes three operational layers: a data collection layer, a data aggregation and translation layer and an information dissemination layer. The data collection layer may include one or more elements of electronic control system 104 as well as devices and systems on a plurality of vehicles 101 which sense and transmit data associated a plurality of vehicles at particular geographical locations. The data collection layer may further include sensors, cameras and other data sources which are fixed relative to a roadway, or information from sensors, cameras and other data sources which are provided on surveillance vehicles such as satellites, planes and helicopters.

[0023] The data aggregation and translation layer comprises one or more computer based systems which receive and aggregate data from the data collection layer devices and process the received data to provide information about one or more roadway or traffic conditions. In certain aspects, the received data may include information about road grade, vehicle rate of speed, or change in rate of speed at particular locations which may be aggregated and processed to determine traffic speed over a given segment of roadway. In other aspects, information about weather conditions such as wind speed, precipitation and road conditions may be derived.

[0024] The information dissemination layer may include one or more elements of electronic controller 104 as well as devices and systems on a plurality of vehicles 101 which receive information transmitted from the data aggregation and translation layer. The received information may include road grade information, information about traffic speed over a given segment of roadway, as well as information about weather conditions such as wind speed, precipitation and road conditions may be derived. ITS information from one or more of the foregoing layers may be received by system 1 14 and provided to ECM 106.

[0025] Proximity sensor system 1 16 provides information pertaining to other vehicles or objects within a sensor range to the vehicle to ECM 106. The provided information may include distance to one or more vehicles 101 or objects in sensor range, velocity of one or more vehicles 101 or objects in sensor range and acceleration of one or more vehicles 101 or objects in sensor range. ECM 106 can include a powertrain controller 120. ECM 106 may also include additional or alternate controllers including, for example, transmission controllers, aftertreatment system controllers and vehicle system controllers, among others. ECM 106 is structured to provide one or more inputs received from systems 108, 1 10, 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, and 1 18 to the powertrain controller 120 and/or to an aftertreatment system controller 122.

[0026] Powertrain controller 120 may be structured to control a number of aspects of the operation of the powertrain 102 and other associated elements of vehicle 101 including, for example, air handling, provision of a first fuel type, battery state-of-charge, electric motor operation, among others. Aftertreatment controller 122 may be structured to control a number of aspect of the operation of an aftertreatment system 124 and associated elements of vehicle 101 .

[0027] One or more of the aforementioned systems (ECM, VOI, HMI, GPS, V2X, VPS, calibration interface, engine controller, aftertreatment controller), and/or other useful systems, can be used to exchange information between the vehicles 101 participating in the vehicle platoon system 100. In one non-limiting embodiment, the systems mentioned above and/or other useful systems can be used to determine and record a temperature condition of one or more of the vehicles 101 in platoon system 100 during operation. The temperature condition can be associated with one or more of the powertrain, the aftertreatment system, or some other component of the vehicle 101 indicative of a thermal condition of the vehicle 101 . The temperature condition can be a measured temperature of one or more components of the vehicle, and/or a predicted temperature of one or more components based on look ahead route data, current temperature, and other factors. Such information can be useful in platoon formation management, such as controlling a distance between the vehicles 101 and/or an order of vehicles 101 in the platoon system 100.

[0028] Electronic controller 104 is configured to compare the temperature condition to one or more temperature thresholds. In one embodiment, the temperature threshold is indicative of a warmed-up temperature of the powertrain 102 and/or aftertreatment system 124 in response to a cold start condition. In other embodiments, the

temperature threshold is indicative of a stay warm temperature in which the powertrain 102 and/or aftertreatment system 124 have, in the current operation cycle, previously been warmed up above a first threshold and have subsequently dropped below the stay warm temperature threshold.

[0029] In response to the temperature condition of the respective vehicle 101 being below the temperature threshold, electronic controller 104 is configured to reduce a distance between the vehicle 101 b and a leading vehicle 101 a, or between vehicle 101 c and a leading vehicle 101 b, in the platoon system 100. For example, if trailing vehicle 101 b has a temperature condition below the temperature threshold, the distance or spacing between trailing vehicle 101 b and lead vehicle 101 a is reduced. In another example, if the trailing vehicle 101 c has a temperature condition below the temperature threshold, the distance or spacing between trailing vehicle 101 c and the preceding leading vehicle 101 b is reduced. Furthermore, in response to the temperature condition being greater than the temperature threshold, the distance or spacing between the vehicles is increased.

[0030] Electronic controller 104 can also be configured to change an order of vehicles 101 in the platoon system 100 in response to the temperature condition. For example, if lead vehicle 101 a has a temperature condition below the temperature threshold, electronic controller 104 can direct lead vehicle 101 a to a trailing vehicle position in the platoon system 100 so the lead vehicle 101 a is then a trailing vehicle and can benefit from reduced airflow to increasing powertrain and/or aftertreatment system temperature.

[0031] Electronic controller 104 can, using knowledge of locations, velocities,

destinations and available hours of each of the vehicles 101 in a platoon system 100, direct a specific vehicle 101 to platoon behind another and then, once in formation, use information of the first or lead vehicle (such as, but not limited to speed and throttle characteristics) to ensure appropriate following distance of the second vehicle.

[0032] Referring to Fig. 3, one embodiment of a procedure for thermally managing a temperature condition of one or more vehicles 101 in platoon system 100 is provided. Procedure 300 includes an operation 302 to determine a temperature condition of one or more the vehicles 101 . In certain embodiments, the temperature condition is indicative of a temperature of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the vehicle. The temperature condition can be a predicted temperature condition for the vehicle based on, for example, look ahead route information for the vehicle platoon. In certain embodiments, the temperature condition may be a measured temperature condition of the vehicle.

[0033] Procedure 300 continues at conditional 304 to determine if the temperature condition is less than a first threshold. If conditional 304 is positive/true, then procedure 300 continues at conditional 306 to determine if the vehicle is the lead vehicle of the platoon. If conditional 306 is true, procedure 300 continues at operation 308 to change the vehicle position in the platoon to be behind at least one vehicle. Procedure 300 continues from operation 308, or from conditional 306 if conditional 306 is

negative/false, at operation 310 to reduce the distance from the leading or in front vehicle to the vehicle in which the temperature condition was determined to be less than the first threshold, improving warm up conditions for the vehicle.

[0034] If conditional 304 is false, procedure 300 continues at conditional 312 to determine of the temperature condition of the vehicle is greater than a second temperature threshold. If conditional 312 is true, then procedure 300 continues at conditional 314 to determine if the vehicle is the lead vehicle of the platoon. If conditional 314 is true, procedure 300 ends. If conditional 314 is false, procedure 300 continues at operation 316 to increase a distance of the vehicle from the lead vehicle, improving cooling conditions for the vehicle.

[0035] The platooning algorithm (which will be understood to be capable of execution on a controller, e.g. electronic controller 104) such as shown in Fig. 3, could additionally and/or alternatively implement a model for prioritizing thermal management among the vehicles 101 . In this model, the platooning algorithm could identify the vehicle 101 that has the highest temperature, or that has satisfied a thermal management condition, and direct that vehicle to be the lead vehicle of the platoon or to move in front of a vehicle that has not satisfied thermal management conditions. Based on this information, vehicles 101 could be re-arranged within a platoon or this information could be used to determine the placement of the vehicles 101 in the next platoon they join.

[0036] Designations about which position the respective vehicles 101 will have within a platoon system 100 and/or the spacing between vehicles 101 within a platoon system 100 can be negotiated from vehicle to vehicle, or in some forms can be determined remotely and communicated to the vehicles 101 . For example, a central server could receive and coordinate platoon formation and spacing between vehicles and then issue commands (such as through the ITS) regarding which position and spacing the various vehicles should take. Furthermore, the compensation and/or costs/penalties described above can also be coordinated through the central clearinghouse described above (e.g. a central server) and communicated through the ITS.

[0037] Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated. According to one aspect, a method includes determining a temperature condition of a vehicle that participates in a vehicle platoon; and in response to the temperature condition, reducing a distance between the vehicle and a leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

[0038] In one embodiment, the method includes, in response to the temperature condition being greater than a threshold, increasing a distance between the vehicle and the leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon. In another embodiment, the method includes, in response to the temperature condition being less than a threshold, reducing the distance between the vehicle and the leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon. In yet another embodiment, the method includes changing a position of the vehicle within the vehicle platoon in response to the temperature condition being less than a threshold before reducing the distance between the vehicle and the leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

[0039] In another embodiment, the temperature condition is indicative of a temperature of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the vehicle. In yet another embodiment, the temperature condition is a predicted temperature condition for the vehicle based on look ahead route information for the vehicle platoon. In still another embodiment, the temperature condition is a measured temperature condition of the vehicle.

[0040] In another aspect, a method includes determining a temperature condition of a first vehicle that participates in a vehicle platoon; and in response to the temperature condition being less than a first threshold, changing a position of the first vehicle within the vehicle platoon so the first vehicle is moved from in front of a second vehicle in the vehicle platoon to behind the second vehicle.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method includes, in response to the temperature condition being less than the first threshold, reducing a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in the vehicle platoon after changing the position of the first vehicle. In a refinement of this embodiment, the method includes after reducing the distance and in response to the temperature condition being greater than a second threshold, increasing a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

[0042] In another embodiment, the temperature condition is indicative of a temperature of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the first vehicle. In still another embodiment, the temperature condition is one or more of a predicted

temperature condition for the first vehicle based on look ahead route information for the vehicle platoon and a measured temperature condition of the first vehicle.

[0043] In another aspect, an apparatus includes an electronic controller in

communication with a vehicle platoon. The electronic controller is configured to determine a temperature condition of one or more vehicles in the vehicle platoon, and to decrease a spacing between the one or more vehicles and a leading vehicle in response to the temperature condition being less than a first threshold.

[0044] In one embodiment, the temperature condition is indicative of a temperature of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the one or more vehicles. In another embodiment, wherein the first threshold is indicative of a warmed up condition of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the one or more vehicles. In yet another embodiment, the temperature condition is at least one of a predicted temperature condition for the one or more vehicles based on look ahead route information for the vehicle platoon and a measured temperature of the one or more vehicles.

[0045] In another embodiment, the electronic controller is further configured to formulate an information signal for broadcast to other vehicles in the vehicle platoon. In yet another embodiment, the electronic controller is hosted on one or more of the vehicles in the vehicle platoon.

[0046] In another embodiment, the electronic controller is configured to determine a change in position of the one or more vehicles within the vehicle platoon in response to the temperature condition being less than the first threshold. In still another

embodiment, the electronic controller is configured to increase the spacing between the one or more vehicles and the leading vehicle in response to the temperature condition exceeding a second threshold.

[0047] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow.

[0048] In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A method comprising:

determining a temperature condition of a vehicle that participates in a vehicle platoon; and

in response to the temperature condition, reducing a distance between the vehicle and a leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to the temperature condition being greater than a threshold, increasing a distance between the vehicle and the leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to the temperature condition being less than a threshold, reducing the distance between the vehicle and the leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature condition is indicative of a temperature of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature condition is a predicted temperature condition for the vehicle based on look ahead route information for the vehicle platoon.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temperature condition is a measured temperature condition of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing a position of the vehicle within the vehicle platoon in response to the temperature condition being less than a threshold before reducing the distance between the vehicle and the leading vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

8. A method comprising:

determining a temperature condition of a first vehicle that participates in a vehicle platoon; and

in response to the temperature condition being less than a first threshold, changing a position of the first vehicle within the vehicle platoon so the first vehicle is moved from in front of a second vehicle in the vehicle platoon to behind the second vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising, in response to the temperature condition being less than the first threshold, reducing a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in the vehicle platoon after changing the position of the first vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, after reducing the distance and in response to the temperature condition being greater than a second threshold, increasing a distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in the vehicle platoon.

1 1 . The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature condition is indicative of a temperature of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the first vehicle.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature condition is one or more of a predicted temperature condition for the first vehicle based on look ahead route information for the vehicle platoon and a measured temperature condition of the first vehicle.

13. An apparatus comprising:

an electronic controller in communication with a vehicle platoon, the electronic controller configured to:

determine a temperature condition of one or more vehicles in the vehicle platoon; and

decrease a spacing between the one or more vehicles and a leading vehicle in response to the temperature condition being less than a first threshold.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the temperature condition is indicative of a temperature of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the one or more vehicles.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to formulate an information signal for broadcast to other vehicles in the vehicle platoon.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is hosted on one or more of the vehicles in the vehicle platoon.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the temperature condition is at least one of a predicted temperature condition for the one or more vehicles based on look ahead route information for the vehicle platoon and a measured temperature of the one or more vehicles.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is configured to determine a change in position of the one or more vehicles within the vehicle platoon in response to the temperature condition being less than the first threshold.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the electronic controller is configured to increase the spacing between the one or more vehicles and the leading vehicle in response to the temperature condition exceeding a second threshold.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first threshold is indicative of a warmed up condition of one or more of a powertrain and an aftertreatment system of the one or more vehicles.