Effects of idle reduction technologies on real world fuel use and exhaust emissions of idling long-haul trucks.
Idling long-haul freight tucks may consume nearly one billion gallons of diesel fuel per year in the U.S. There is a need for real-world data by which to quantify avoided fuel use and emissions attributable to idle reduction techniques of auxiliary power units (APUs) and shore-power (SP). Field data were obtained from 20 APU-equipped and SP-compatible trucks observed during 2.8 million miles of travel in 42 states. Base engine fuel use and emission rates varied depending on ambient temperature. APU and SP energy use and emission rates varied depending on electrical load. APUs reduced idling fuel use and CO2 emissions for single and team drivers by 22 and 5% annually, respectively. SP offers greater reductions in energy use of 48% for single drivers, as well as in emissions, except for SO2. APUs were cost-effective for single drivers with a large number of APU usage hours per year, but not for team drivers or for single drivers with low APU utilization rates. The findings support more accurate assessments of avoided fuel use and emissions, and recommendations to encourage greater APU utilization by single drivers and to further develop infrastructure for SP.
Frey
H Christopher
HC
North Carolina State University, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, 2501 Stinson Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. frey@ncsu.edu
Kuo
Po-Yao
PY
Villa
Charles
C
D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D004738:Engineering; D004867:Equipment Design; D005742:Gasoline / Q000032:analysis*; D018986:Motor Vehicles / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D005742:Gasoline; D001335:Vehicle Emissions