Title: Prospects for reductions in truck and bus fuel consumption In the UK

Authors: Stephen Latham

Addresses: Transport Research Laboratory, Old Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 6AU, UK

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.

Keywords: bus; fuel consumption; truck.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1998.001827

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1998 Vol.20 No.1/2/3/4, pp.283-291

Published online: 18 Aug 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article