Fuel Utilization of Articulated Vehicles: Effect of Gross Vehicle Weight

摘要

Computer simulation techniques have been used to study the effect of gross vehicle weight and other design and operating factors on fuel consumption and fuel utilization of articulated vehicles. Vehicles were classified by gross vehicle weight and body type. For each class a representative vehicle was selected and its fuel consumption and fuel utilization were calculated over a representative duty cycle. In addition, plausible modifications were made to vehicle and engine design and operating parameters. The effect of these changes was evaluated.