Title: Vehicle characterization and fuel consumption prediction using maps and power demand models

Authors: K. Post, J.H. Kent, J. Tomlin, N. Carruthers

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2006, Australia

Abstract: A sample of 177 currently used Australian light duty vehicles have been dynamometer tested and averaged vehicle maps of fuel consumption and emissions are presented. These maps show emission rates and fuel consumption as a function of vehicle velocity and acceleration. The use of vehicle maps as a diagnostic tool to characterise vehicle behaviour is also demonstrated. A two-parameter vehicle power demand model is developed which predicts road (or dynamometer) vehicle fuel consumption, hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emission rates for any desired velocity profile. For trips of moderate length (> 10 km) the fuel usage estimates are correct to within 2 per cent. Short trip estimates (I km or less) are correct to within 9 per cent. A power demand model correction matrix is presented which is used to predict fuel usage for short trips (100m or less). This matrix adjusts the basic power demand model for vehicle inefficiencies at low speed due to gear and automatic transmission losses.

Keywords: vehicle emissions; power demand models; modelling; fuel consumption prediction; emission maps; light duty vehicles; vehicle speed; vehicle acceleration; hydrocarbons; nitrogen oxides; NOx; air pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1985.061419

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1985 Vol.6 No.1, pp.72 - 92

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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