By Jasen Lee, Deseret News

TOOELE — A new technology being tested in Utah could improve big-rig safety and fuel efficiency on roadways.

The Utah Department of Transportation Friday coordinated field tests of a new vehicle-to-vehicle communication system targeted at the trucking industry. The department, along with California-based Peloton Technology — the company developing the system — demonstrated the automated platform using two semitrailers traveling on I-80 in Tooele County.

The system allowed the trucks to “platoon” together, similar to drafting on a bicycle or as race cars do in NASCAR. The two trucks connect within about 40 feet to 60 feet of each other and simultaneously brake, accelerate and react to road hazards up to 800 feet away, explained data engineering lead John Jacobs.