Novel Mathematical Method to Obtain the Optimum Speed and Fuel Reduction in Heavy Diesel Trucks

Maria Torres-Falcon, Omar Rodríguez-Abreo, Francisco Antonio Castillo-Velásquez, Alejandro Flores-Rangel, Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz and José Manuel Álvarez-Alvarado
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Maria Torres-Falcon: Industrial Technologies Division, Universidad Politécnica de Querétaro, Querétaro 76240, Mexico
Omar Rodríguez-Abreo: Industrial Technologies Division, Universidad Politécnica de Querétaro, Querétaro 76240, Mexico
Francisco Antonio Castillo-Velásquez: Red de Investigación OAC Optimización, Automatización y Control, Querétaro 76240, Mexico
Alejandro Flores-Rangel: Industrial Technologies Division, Universidad Politécnica de Querétaro, Querétaro 76240, Mexico
Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz: Red de Investigación OAC Optimización, Automatización y Control, Querétaro 76240, Mexico
José Manuel Álvarez-Alvarado: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro 76010, Mexico

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: In Mexico and many parts of the world, land cargo transport units (UTTC) operate at high speeds, causing accidents, increased fuel costs, and high levels of polluting emissions in the atmosphere. The speed in road driving, by the carriers, has been a factor little studied; however, it causes serious damage. This problem is reflected in accidents, road damage, low efficiency in the life of the engine and tires, low fuel efficiency, and high polluting emissions, among others. The official Mexican standard NOM-012-SCT-2-2017 on the weight and maximum dimensions with which motor transport vehicles can circulate, which travel through the general communication routes of the federal jurisdiction, establishes the speed limit at the one to be driven by an operator. Because of the new reality, the uses and customs of truck operators have been affected, mainly in their operating expenses. In this work, a mathematical model is presented with which the optimum driving speed of a UTTC is obtained. The speed is obtained employing the equality between the forces required to move the motor unit and the force that the tractor has available. The required forces considered are the force on the slope, the aerodynamic force, and the friction force, and the force available was considered the engine torque. This mathematical method was tested in seven routes in Mexico, obtaining significant savings of fuel above 10%. However, the best performance route possesses 65% flat terrain and 35% hillocks without mountainous terrain, regular type of highway, and a load of 20,000 kg, where the savings increase up to 16.44%.

Keywords: fuel savings; mathematical model; transport; driver conduction; road transport; emissions reduction; fuel efficiency (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: 2021
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