Novel mathematical method to obtain the optimum speed and fuel reduction in heavy diesel trucks

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%.