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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Technological development in Europe

The automotive industry shares the vision of a road traffic increasingly environmentally friendly and is dedicating large resources to R and D aimed at achieving this goal. Vehicle power-trains are complex. Implementing improvements or engineering alternative technologies require an integrated approach involving innovative power-train design, the support of the electronic industry (sensors, actuators, control-units), advanced exhaust gas after-treatment systems and appropriate fuels and lubricants. New technological solutions must prove to be reliable, cost effective and must meet consumers' expectations before their introduction in large scale production can become a reality. Indeed, engineers have to ensure compliance with three levels of constrains imposed by: the environment i.e. lower exhaust emissions, lower CO2 emissions; the consumer i.e. low operating costs, enhanced driving performance levels, enhanced reliability, acceptable purchasing price; the need to safeguard and improve the competitiveness of the industry. Much has been achieved in recent years as confirmed by the attained compliance with emission standards, which have been made progressively more stringent, and by the lowering of the sale weighted average fuel consumption of the vehicle being offered in the market. It is to be noted that whilst certain technologies are easily perceived by the consumer (e.g. diesel particulate filters or hybrid power-trains) and are much advertised others remain hidden under the hood of the vehicles (e.g. variable valve timing, high pressure injection, complex control strategies, advanced internal combustion engine design) notwithstanding the fact that they may be the key contributors toward achieving the goal of an environmentally friendly road traffic at sustainable costs. Authorities must play a key role in guiding the technological evolution by identifying the problem areas and set clear goals for the research efforts. At the same time legislations can only consolidate proven solutions recognised as available for mass production and should be always supported by an impact assessment. The legislative path in Europe is lengthy and complex. Once a Directive or Regulation has been adopted by the EP and Council there is no possibility to modify it in time if the requirements prove to be too ambitious and not achievable by the full range of vehicles requested by the market (A). Only abstract (as above) is available from the conference proceedings. For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E212343.

  • Authors:
    • CUCCHI, C
  • Publication Date: 2006

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01102622
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Jun 16 2008 8:08AM