Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | TE252 | |
| Title | Truck specification for best operational efficiency | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Energy Efficiency(Transport) 15%; Not Energy Related 85%; |
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| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 75%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour) 5%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Technology acceptance) 10%; Other (Energy technology information dissemination) 10%; |
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| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given AEA Technology Environment |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | DfT | |
| Start Date | 08 December 2003 | |
| End Date | 01 April 2005 | |
| Duration | 16 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £30,000 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Transport | |
| Region | South East | |
| Programme | DfT Freight logistics | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , AEA Technology Environment (100.000%) |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | 1. To review the variety of goods vehicle types (motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers) over 3.5 Tonnes GVW/GTW available to operators and to evaluate their operational suitability through the development of a draft Good Practice Guide text. This review of options should cover not only complete vehicles, but also major vehicle component and systems options. The review should focus on generic vehicle, component and systems classifications and should, as far as is practicable, avoid both cri ticism of specific manufacturers’ models and any favourable bias towards one manufacturer. 2. To demonstrate, via case studies and examples, the different types of specifications required by assorted operators, highlighting the optimum applicability of certain vehicle, component and systems specifications to particular operations. Reference should be made, where applicable throughout, to existing relevant TransportEnergy BestPractice publications and other readily available indep end ent industry information. 3. To provide indications of whole life costing benefits resulting from accurate initial specification. These indications should serve to highlight the importance of calculating long-term costs, such as fuel and maintenance spend, at the time of developing a vehicle specification. 4. To provide checklists and questions to help operators specify the most suitable vehicle for their operation. 5. To offer guidance to help the operator decide the level of specification actually required, i.e. helping to answer questions like “Do I need this component/optional extra and what will I get from it?” | |
| Abstract | 1. Review the variety of goods vehicle types (motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers) over 3.5 Tonnes GVW/GTW and major vehicle component and systems options available to operators, evaluate their operational suitability and determine the range of issues, relating primarily to fuel efficiency, of which operators should be aware when undertaking truck specification, including, but by no means limited to, items such as: Vehicle classes Vehicle weights (addressing both legal maximum weights,including significance of axle configurations, and operational weight issues such as calculation of payload and diminishing loads) Vehicle dimensions Evaluation of the respective advantages and disadvantages of operating rigid, articulated and drawbar vehicles Evaluation of the operational suitability of the variety of available vehicle, trailer and semi-trailer body types Evaluation of the operational suitability of the variety of available vehicle, trailer and semi-trailer component and systemsoptions, including, but by no means limited to; Aerodynamic equipment Axles Braking systems Cabs Chassis materials Driveline specification Engine specification (comparisons of bhp) Fuels Fuel tanks Lubricants Telematics systems Tyres Wheels Ancillary equipment. Summary of results : This publication provides independent and authoritative guidance on vehicle specification. It will show you just how easy it is to produce a fit-for-purpose specification and will take you through thekey stages of vehicle specification. Sections 1–3 cover the basics of vehicle specification, while Sections 4–6 contain more detailed information. | |
| Publications | DfT (2007). Truck specification for best operational efficiency. Freight Best Practice Consortium (PDF 2009 KB) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 07/02/08 | |
