Numerical Analysis of Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics in Heterogeneous Vehicle Platoons: Impacts on Fuel Consumption and Environmental Emissions

Wojciech Bronisław Ciesielka () and Władysław Marek Hamiga
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Wojciech Bronisław Ciesielka: AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Władysław Marek Hamiga: AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-53

Abstract: The systematic economic development of European Union member states has resulted in a dynamic increase in road transport, accompanied by adverse environmental impacts. Consequently, research efforts have focused on identifying technical solutions to reduce fuel and/or energy consumption. One promising approach involves the formation of homogeneous and heterogeneous vehicle platoons. This study presents the results of numerical simulations and analyses of aerodynamic and aeroacoustic phenomena generated by heterogeneous vehicle platoons composed of passenger cars, delivery vans, and trucks. A total of 54 numerical models were developed in various configurations, considering three vehicle speeds and three inter-vehicle distances. The analysis was conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods with the following two turbulence models: the k–ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) model and Large Eddy Simulation (LES), combined with the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings acoustic analogy to determine sound pressure levels. Verification calculations were performed using methods dedicated to environmental noise analysis, supplemented by acoustic field measurements. The results conclusively demonstrate that vehicle movement in specific platoon configurations can lead to significant fuel and/or energy savings, as well as reductions in harmful emissions. This solution may be implemented in the future as an integral component of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) and Intelligent Environmental Management Systems (IEMSs).

Keywords: aerodynamics; aeroacoustics; platoon; drag force; fuel; CFD; FW-H; ITS; IEMS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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