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Effects of semi-trailer modifications on HGV fuel consumption

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Madhusudhanan, AK 
Garcia, IV 

Abstract

This article investigates the effects of aerodynamic and lightweight double-deck semi-trailers on fuel consumption of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The HGVs were evaluated using in-service data, and computer-based simulations with coefficients of aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance estimated from coast-down tests conducted on a test track. The coast-down tests showed that the aerodynamic features reduced the coefficient of aerodynamic drag by approximately 7.2% and the wide single tyres on the lightweight trailers reduced the coefficient of rolling resistance by approximately 10%. The in-service data showed that the aerodynamic features on the aerodynamic vehicles have a statistical significance on fuel consumption. Computer-based simulations showed that the aerodynamic-lightweight trailer reduces the HGV's fuel consumption by approximately 20.2% for a long-haul drive cycle. As these improvements don’t have significant barrier to implementation, which is the case with electrification of HGVs, fleet operators can employ these improvements to reduce their carbon emissions.

Description

Keywords

Double-deck semi-trailers, Heavy goods vehicle, Fuel consumption, Coast-down test

Journal Title

Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1361-9209
1879-2340

Volume Title

92

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Technology Strategy Board (103244)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/R035199/1)
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