RIGID V ARTIC. VOLVO COMPARES THE OPERATING COSTS

The article considers the fuel saving potential of operating an 8 x 2 rigid lorry compared with an articulated vehicle of the same 20 t capacity. It is shown that the rigid vehicle generates less frontal area, aerodynamic drag and inertia compared with the articulated vehicle. Tests carried out using two volvo F7 8 x 2 6.4 M wheelbase lorries showed that the rigid vehicle has a potential saving of approximately 10% in cost per ton mile. It is considered that providing that the load to be carried is reasonably dense and the full 40 ft body space is not required, the rigid vehicle with 30 ft body is worthy of consideration. It does not have the flexibility of operation offered by the articulated vehicle and can be limited by slow-loading operations. The rigid vehicle does offer greater stability in bad weather conditions and is free of jacknifing problems.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00103063
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Transport Press, Limited

  Dorset House, Stamford Street
  London SE1 9LU,   England 
• Publication Date: 1980-5-17

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 44-47
• Serial:
  • Commerical Motor
  • Volume: 151
  • Issue Number: 3860
  • Publisher: IPC Transport Press, Limited
  • ISSN: 0010-3063

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Drag; Economic factors; Economics; Freight transportation; Fuel consumption; Operating costs; Tests; Transportation; Trucks; Vehicle dynamics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Articulated vehicles
• ITRD Terms: 5492: Aerodynamics; 1225: Articulated vehicle; 255: Economics; 263: Economics of transport; 232: Fuel consumption; 741: Goods traffic; 1236: Lorry; 221: Operating costs; 6255: Test
• Subject Areas: Economics; Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00319628
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 19 1981 12:00AM