Title: Operating efficiency of heavy vehicles

Authors: Edward S.K. Fekpe

Addresses: Centre for Surface Transportation Technology, National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada

Abstract: A concept for assessing the efficiency of heavy vehicles is presented. The primary variables which define efficiency are: safety related dynamic performance measures, highway infrastructure damaging potential from heavy vehicle operations and trucking productivity. The six-axle tractor semitrailer truck with close-spaced tridem axle on the semitrailer is found to be the most efficient of the common heavy trucks in Canada. Generally, configurations with close-spaced tridem axle units exhibit good stability and control properties and high operational performance qualities. A truck configuration with adequate dynamic properties does not necessarily imply similar level of operational performance. Dynamic performance attributes do not appear to be a major consideration when truck operators select equipment. Major factors include, equipment versatility in commodity handling, perceived productivity advantage and loading restrictions.

Keywords: dynamic performance; operating efficiency; infrastructure damage; productivity; heavy vehicles; tractor semitrailer.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.1995.054612

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 1995 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.256 - 269

Published online: 18 Jun 2013 *

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