IMPACT OF LONGER COMBINATION VEHICLES ON ENERGY USE & EMISSIONS

This report examines the impact on energy use and emissions if long combination trucks are allowed to operate. It uses fuel-economy competition data from Manitoba to estimate equations which predict fuel use for both single-trailer and multiple-trailer configurations. It assumes engines are emitting CO, HC, Nox and particulate matter at the maximum levels allowed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. (These are the de facto regulations in Canada). It also assumes trucks emit CO2 at levels consistent with other research. Using the fuel consumption equations, which allow fuel usage to be adjusted as both truck weight and the number of trailers increase when freight shifts from conventional tractor-semitrailers to LCVs, the paper shows that there is a significant increase in energy efficiency and a significant reduction in emissions when LCVs haul low-density freight. Savings in energy use and emissions per tonne-kilometre can be as high as 25% for the lightest freight. (A)

• Corporate Authors:

  CANADIAN TRUCKING RESEARCH INSTITUTE (CTRI)

  130 SLATER STREET, SUITE 1025
  OTTAWA, ONTARIO  Canada  K1P 6E2
• Authors:
  • Nix, F P
• Publication Date: 1995-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 18 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Energy; Length; Pollutants; Trucks
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• ITRD Terms: 8018: Canada; 2442: Emission; 213: Energy; 6488: Length; 1236: Lorry
• Subject Areas: Energy; Motor Carriers;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00726374
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 28 1996 12:00AM