Automated and connected road vehicles enable large-scale control and optimization of the transport system with the potential to radically improve energy efficiency, decrease environmental footprint, and enhance safety. Freight transportation accounts for a significant amount of all energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of road traffic. In this talk, we will discuss the potential future of road goods transportation and particularly how automated heavy-duty vehicle platooning is enabling new modes of operations. We will focus on how automatically controlled truck platoons can be used improve traffic conditions. Suitable mathematical models will be developed and challenges in data-based tuning and using these models will be highlighted. Extensive experiments done on European highways will illustrate system performance and safety requirements. The presentation will be based on joint work with collaborators at KTH and at the truck manufacturers Scania and Volvo.