Prospects for reductions in truck and bus fuel consumption In the UK Online publication date: Mon, 18-Aug-2003
by Stephen Latham
International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD), Vol. 20, No. 1/2/3/4, 1998
Abstract: The TranThe Transport Research Laboratory has performed a review for the UK Department of Transport on the prospects for improvements in truck and bus fuel consumption. The study covered a diverse range of subject areas including engine and vehicle design, road texture, telematics, operational logistics and driver psychology. This paper is a brief summary of this review. There is potential to reduce fuel consumption in many technological and operational areas of truck and bus use; however, the potential gains are often limited by practical and economic criteria. Integrated transport systems have greater potential to reduce fuel consumption than pure road-based strategies; however, their benefits, particularly over relatively short journeys, will also be limited unless more innovative methods of combining the flexibility and convenience of road transport with the environmental advantages of non-road-based methods of transport can be found. A combined fiscal and semi-regulatory strategy would have potential to reduce operating fuel consumption and reduce the rate of increase in the total fuel used for trucks and buses in the UK; these measures would entail increases in fuel taxation, a published database of official bus and truck fuel consumption figures; and the introduction of vehicle- rather than engine-based emission limits.sport Research Laboratory has performed a review for the UK Department of Transport on the prospects for improvements in truck and bus fuel consumption. The study covered a diverse range of subject areas including engine and vehicle design, road texture, telematics, operational logistics and driver psychology. This paper is a brief summary of this review. There is potential to reduce fuel consumption in many technological and operational areas of truck and bus use; however, the potential gains are often limited by practical and economic criteria. Integrated transport systems have greater potential to reduce fuel consumption than pure road-based strategies; however, their benefits, particularly over relatively short journeys, will also be limited unless more innovative methods of combining the flexibility and convenience of road transport with the environmental advantages of non-road-based methods of transport can be found. A combined fiscal and semi -regulatory strategy would have potential to reduce operating fuel consumption and reduce the rate of increase in the total fuel used for trucks and buses in the UK; these measures would entail increases in fuel taxation, a published database of official bus and truck fuel consumption figures; and the introduction of vehicle- rather than engine-based emission limits.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Vehicle Design (IJVD):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook