The Importance of Fuel Efficiency Improvements & Providing New Technological Alternatives for Reducing Fuel Consumption

Reduction Solutions as a Companies Approach Toimproving Sustainability as Well as Other Csr Indicators

As stated by the American Transportation Research Institute, «the total tonnage of primary freight shipments in the US will increase from 15.55 bl. tons in 2006 to 19.85 bl. tons in 2018, an increase of almost 28 % over this 12-year period. Trucks’ share of this tonnage is projected to rise from 69 % in 2006 to 70 percent in 2018.» To satisfy consumer demand the number of trucks and miles driven on roadways are expected to growth over the next decade. The challenge facing the worlds transportation infrastructure is— how to accommodate the demand growth without increasing the fuel consumption.

The report at hand addresses this challenge via summarizing the commercial technologies available in the U.S. and Europe that can be used to improve the fuel efficiency of heavy freight trucks based on the shared value principle for the companies looking to improve CSR and other sustainability indicators. In tandem with their US counterparts The European Commission is currently analyzing the impact of a potential introduction of Longer and Heavier Vehicles across the EU, which are forecasted boost the performance of the road freight transport sector. That said - their real life impact on safety, infrastructure and environment are still some ways away from being properly analysed.

In 2011, Transport Canada’s ecoTechnology for Vehicles program asked the National Research Council (NRC) to undertake a literature review in order to assess various aerodynamic drag reduction technologies: «The literature review estimates the fuel consumption and GHG reduction potential of aerodynamic enhancement devices for tractor-trailer combinations and intercity busses.»The purpose of this study is to understand what technologies or practices can be applied to highway tractor and trailer combinations to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Another purpose of the study is to determine how reducing aerodynamic drag contributes to achieving another important factor, colloquially referred to as “shared value”; thereby creating economic value in ways that also generate value for society as a whole. «Much of the advanced world is seeking savings by reducing trailer drag» “We believe that our pursuit of fuel efficiency is a necessity one and that reducing costs is always a priority. We have a special program called ‘Mission MPG’ which has helped us save an estimated $3.5 Million in fuel,” said Dan Cushman, P.A.M.’s CEO1.

Definition of the key words of your subject (i.e. the concepts) –you can start by re-cycling what you have learned in the lectures you have had. Then you should identify the main theory(ies) that could eventually shed light on your topic (not too many theories… just finding the most useful for you purpose). You may draw a conceptual scheme proposing relationship between concepts, this can help.

The ATRI study concluded that between 11% and 30% of fuel savings can be obtained from the use of LHVs compared to the baseline configurations. They reported that ''the vehicle's GVW and size of engine were the dominant factors in determining fuel economy with rolling resistance associated with the number of axles and vehicle configurations having less of an effect on fuel economy'' [ATRI, 2008]A trailer skirt or side skirt- mechanism affixed to the underside of a semi-trailer, for the purpose of reducing aerodynamic drag caused by air turbulence. Trailer skirts have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership as a secure aerodynamic technology, eligible for funding under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.

A trailer tail or rear fairing is an aerodynamic device intended to improve the fuel economy of trailer trucks. It comprises a set of panels which fold out from the rear of the trailer, creating a tapered shape that reduces drag from the low-pressure wake created behind the trailer. Trailer tail is the one form of aerodynamic technology verified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership.

Aerodynamic drag - retarding force exerted on a vehicle by the air through which it moves. As a truck travels towards the front, it breaks up the flow of air and create an area of low air pressure behind the body or trailer. LHVs – Light DutyVehicle HDVs – Heavy Duty VehicleEnergy-efficient driving techniques - techniques used by drivers who want to reduce their fuel consumption and maximize fuel efficiency at the same time.

Problems identification comes from-a gap in the literature review (something which is unclear, or uncovered yet)-and / or a managerial situation that have been observed, and which is producing unexpected effectsFirstly, the increase of weight from LHVs means greater kinetic energy and thus higher destructive force in case of accidents compared to standard 40t HDVs.

Secondly, the long length of LHVs may lead to overtaking (see e.g. [Hanley and Forkenbrock, 2005]) and stability problems. By actively integrating the solutions of issues into CSR and sustainability policies companyes bocomes more efficient in minimizing risk, protect their reputation, and attract high-performing talents. This is of course true at vehicle level, without considering global effects of the introduction of LHVs on the road freight demand (the probability of accident increasing with the number of vehicle-km).