Truck & Bus: Power,
Comfort & Climate Control Systems
Adapting To Rising Fuel Cost and Operational Expenses
The retail price of diesel fuel has almost doubled since 2004. An idling truck burns nearly one gallon of diesel fuel per hour, so one way for the truck industry to reduce fuel cost is to reduce engine idling. In this way, drivers could reduce both their fuel costs and their carbon dioxide emissions.
Engine idling also affects the maintenance of trucks. Excessive idling causes more oil and oil filter deterioration and increases the frequency of routine service. Similarly, the longer the idle time, the sooner the engine will need to be rebuilt. The trucking industry estimates that excessive idling adds the equivalent of approximately 20,000 miles to a truck engine in a year.
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Complying with Anti-idling Legislation
Excessive idling from truck and locomotive engines has been found to have a significant impact on our economy and environment. (As a general guideline, excessive idling is the operation of the truck’s propulsion engine when not engaged in gear for a period longer than 15 consecutive minutes, except when associated with routine stoppages due to traffic congestion.) Long haul truck drivers usually rest for long durations in their sleeper compartment, as the U.S. Department of Transportation requires that truck drivers rest at least 10 hours for every 14 hours of driving. During this resting period, truck drivers usually keep their engines running to operate their air conditioning, heat, or on-board appliances, such as televisions and microwaves. Other idling scenarios occur while a truck driver has to wait for a longer period, such as at a border crossing or at load/unload docking platform.
A few examples of the effects of excessive idling are:
- Over one billion gallons of diesel fuel consumed annually
- Eleven million tons of carbon dioxide, 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide, and 5,000 tons of particulate matter emitted annually
- Increased engine maintenance costs and shortened engine life
- Impaired driver rest and health
- Elevated noise levels
- Long haul truck drivers usually rest for long durations in their sleeper compartment. In fact, the Department of Transportation (DOT) http://www.dot.gov/ requires that a truck driver rests for at least ten hours for every 14 hours of driving. During this resting period, truck drivers usually idle their engines to operate their air conditioning, heat, or on-board appliances such as television or microwave. Truck drivers also idle their engines to keep their engine and fuel warm in cold weather. Other idling scenarios occur while a truck driver has to wait for longer period such as at a border crossing or at load/unload docking platform. As a general guideline, long duration idling is the operation of the truck’s propulsion engine when not engaged in gear for a period longer than 15 consecutive minutes, except when associated with routine stoppages due to traffic congestion.
On-board idle reduction systems including auxiliary power units that provide electricity to the cab, direct-fired heaters and coolant systems that provide temperature control, and programmable automatic engine shut-off systems. Other solutions includes on-board auxiliary heater for truck and bus.
There are now many states, counties and municipalities that have passed legislation restricting idling. Generally, the amount of idling time permitted in the United States is three to five minutes and penalties can be as high as a $25,000 fine and one year in prison. Please refer to Smartway Transportation Partnership from US EPA office http://www.epa.gov/smartway/ and Fleetsmart programs from National Resources Energy Canada http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/business/
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Retaining drivers with driver comfort
With truck drivers in short supply and high demand, fleet operators and commercial vehicle makers have a strong incentive to provide a comfortable driving experience in their trucks. For long-haul trucks, the sleeper may serve as home for weeks at a time, which is why drivers need a lot of functionality built into their sleeper cabs. For example, they may need a reasonable programmable in-cabin climate control, AC power and low noise condition for rest time. In addition, truck drivers’ anxiety regarding fines or ticketing could be further reduced if the truck is equipped with anti-idling solutions. In some states and local municipalities anti-idling laws and regulations are strictly enforced.
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Bus Transportation Growing Worldwide
There is a growing global interest in the use of on-road community transportation buses (i.e., transit, school and coach). In areas with colder climates, on-board auxiliary heating systems operate on the main fuel supply of the vehicle. The heater unit may need to provide heating for window defrost or engine pre-heat.
In the case of hybrid diesel and electric buses, the auxiliary heating system assists in heating the catalyst particulate matter trap as a part of the advanced emission reduction solution. Without this support, the smaller and more efficient diesel engine cannot provide the adequate heat for the catalyst compartment.
Many municipalities have strict rules on protecting children from respiratory impact due to school bus engine idling; therefore, school buses need to be equipped with anti-idling solutions such as auxiliary heating systems.
Similarly, coach buses need to comply with strict rules on idling in the city, rural bus terminals and long-duration stops. From an operation standpoint for many coach companies, the savings could be crucial in adapting to rising diesel fuel costs.
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Military Solutions
Military forces in various countries, once in combat, must carry troops, haul heavy equipment, and transport mobile communications posts. They must also provide reasonable living conditions for the troops in the field. From the standpoint of living conditions in the field, military field kitchens need to operate with safety, fuel economy, and low in-tent emissions.
In the United States, studies have shown that fuel accounts for about 70 percent of the bulk tonnage transported by Army vehicles when the military forces are in combat. In addition, fuel consumption for some of the heavy tactical trucks can be as low as three to four miles per gallon. In many situations, trucks may idle for long durations, leading to higher fuel cost, engine maintenance wear and tear, and emissions. From an ambient temperature standpoint, the tactical truck driving conditions need to accommodate operations in harsh temperatures from -50º F. to more than 120º F.
Truck APU anti-idling solutions can be an effective way to reduce this substantial operating cost. Onboard truck auxiliary heating or HVAC units can be effective alternatives in providing flexible comfort for personnel rather than using thermal management attachments to the main truck engine.
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