Abstract
Improving fuel consumption, particularly that of commercial vehicles, has become a global concern. The reduction in logistics cost has been a key issue in efforts to improve fuel economy and efficiency of transportation equipment. Typical technologies for reducing reduce fuel usage include air resistance reduction technologies, tire rolling resistance technologies, and idle technologies among others. Air resistance technology is a highly effective method that can be easily applied in a short period. As with air resistance technology, several devices involving side skirt, boat tail and gap fairing have been developed based on an analytical 3-D modeling technique for reducing air resistance attributed to the vehicle configuration. The devices were on a 45 feet tractor-trailer and the emission test was done using PEMS equipment. Fuel economy was evaluated by introducing several devices to reduce outer air resistance. The test was conducted by changing the experimental method of SAE J1321 Joint TMC/SAE Fuel Consumption Test Procedure - Type II test. As a result, air resistance decreased by at least 15 % and fuel economy improved by at least 13 %. This study sought to reduce greenhouse gas and improve fuel economy by applying several devices to a test vehicle to lower air resistance.
