In Canada, aerodynamic drag reduction is crucial for improving the fuel efficiency of heavy trucks. By implementing simple aerodynamic upgrades, truck drivers can significantly cut fuel costs and enhance overall performance on the road.
Maximizing Performance: How Aerodynamic Modifications Improve Truck Efficiency
In today’s world, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a top priority for the transportation industry, especially for heavy-duty vehicles like tractor-trailers. In Canada, our cold climate adds extra challenges, making it even more important to explore aerodynamic solutions.
Transport Canada recently asked the National Research Council (NRC) to review the potential of various aerodynamic drag reduction technologies for trucks. The NRC completed their report, and here's a summary of the key findings.
What is Aerodynamic Drag?
For heavy trucks, aerodynamic drag is the force that resists the vehicle's movement through the air. This drag mainly comes from the large, flat surfaces facing the wind, like the front and back of the vehicle.
While friction drag along the sides and top of the vehicle plays a role, it only contributes around 10% to the overall drag. The major drag factor is “pressure drag,” which comes from the large flat back of these vehicles.
The good news? Reducing this drag can improve fuel efficiency and cut down emissions.
Canadian Winters: A Bigger Drag
In colder climates, especially in Canada, aerodynamic drag can increase by nearly 20% due to denser air. This increase means your fuel consumption also rises by about 10% for highway tractor-trailers and heavy vehicles. It makes aerodynamic drag reduction even more essential for Canadian fleets.
Aerodynamic Solutions for Heavy Trucks
The NRC reviewed several technologies aimed at reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency:
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Long Combination Vehicles (LCVs): LCVs, which pull two trailers, can achieve a modest drag increase (around 10-22%) compared to single-trailer trucks. This is a small increase considering that the freight capacity doubles. There’s potential to further reduce drag by using devices designed to fit between the two trailers.
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Camera Mirrors: Side mirrors contribute about 2% of a truck’s drag. Replacing them with cameras could save fuel, but current Canadian safety standards still require mirrors. There’s also interest in whether infrared cameras could help drivers in bad weather.
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Platooning: When trucks travel close together in a "platoon," they reduce drag for all vehicles in the group. Fuel savings range from 9% to 25%, depending on vehicle position, speed, and spacing. However, it’s not yet clear if platooning is more effective than using LCVs.
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Add-On Devices for Tractors and Trailers: While some truck add-ons like wheel covers or slotted mudflaps offer small improvements, trailer-based devices, such as side skirts and boat tails, show significant drag reduction. However, trailer owners may hesitate to invest in these devices, as the benefits often go to the tractor owners.
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Snow and Ice Accumulation: One concern in Canada is how snow and ice might build up on aerodynamic devices like boat tails, potentially changing airflow and causing issues for other vehicles. However, there's limited research on this.
Moving Forward with Aerodynamic Technology
This Transport Canada review emphasized that while many aerodynamic technologies have shown promise, adoption in the industry is often slow. This hesitation is partly because truck operators want quick returns on their investments, and real-world performance can vary. To help guide the industry, Transport Canada recommends a certification program similar to the U.S. EPA's SmartWay program, which could provide clear standards and recommendations.
Why Does This Matter?
Reducing drag on heavy vehicles not only helps the environment but also saves money on fuel. For trucking companies in Canada, aerodynamic devices can be a valuable investment, especially given the unique challenges posed by our cold winters. By staying informed about the latest technologies and their benefits, you can make smarter decisions for your fleet.