Smoothing the Flow at TNT Express
& Somerfield using Truck
Aerodynamic Styling
Case Study
Company: TNT Express
Location: Atherstone
Fleet Size: 380 Tractor units
Company: Somerfield
Location: St Helens
Fleet Size: 698 Tractor Units
Prepara tus exámenes
Prepara tus exámenes y mejora tus resultados gracias a la gran cantidad de recursos disponibles en Docsity
Consigue puntos base para descargar
Gana puntos ayudando a otros estudiantes o consíguelos activando un Plan Premium
Orientación Universidad
Prepara tus exámenes
Prepara tus exámenes y mejora tus resultados gracias a la gran cantidad de recursos disponibles en Docsity
Busca documentos
Prepara tus exámenes con los documentos que comparten otros estudiantes como tú en Docsity
Busca tu universidad
Encuentra los documentos específicos para los exámenes de tu universidad
Video Cursos
Estudia con lecciones y exámenes resueltos basados en los programas académicos de las mejores universidades
Quiz
Responde a preguntas de exámenes reales y pon a prueba tu preparación
Consigue puntos base para descargar
Gana puntos ayudando a otros estudiantes o consíguelos activando un Plan Premium
Comunidad
Pregúntale a la comunidad
Pide ayuda a la comunidad y resuelve tus dudas de estudio
Ebooks gratuitos
¡Nuestros e-books salva-estudiantes!
Descarga nuestras guías gratuitas sobre técnicas de estudio, métodos para controlar la ansiedad y consejos para la tesis preparadas por los tutores de Docsity
Improving Fuel Efficiency in Trucking: Case Studies of TNT Express and Somerfield, Guías, Proyectos, Investigaciones de Termodinámica
This case study examines the successful implementation of aerodynamic styling in truck fleets to improve fuel efficiency and reduce environmental impact. It presents real-world examples from tnt express and somerfield, highlighting the financial benefits and practical considerations of adopting aerodynamic solutions. The study analyzes the impact of aerodynamic features on fuel consumption, co2 emissions, and overall vehicle performance, providing valuable insights for transportation professionals and students interested in sustainable logistics.
Tipo: Guías, Proyectos, Investigaciones
2024/2025
1 / 8
Esta página no es visible en la vista previa
¡No te pierdas las partes importantes!
Documentos relacionados
Vista previa parcial del texto
¡Descarga Improving Fuel Efficiency in Trucking: Case Studies of TNT Express and Somerfield y más Guías, Proyectos, Investigaciones en PDF de Termodinámica solo en Docsity!
Smoothing the Flow at TNT Express
& Somerfield using Truck
Aerodynamic Styling
Case Study
Company: TNT Express Location: Atherstone Fleet Size: 380 Tractor units Company: Somerfield Location: St Helens Fleet Size: 698 Tractor Units
Smoothing the
flow at TNT
Express and
Somerfield
Aerodynamic drag is created as air resists the movement of a vehicle. This drag can have a significant impact on the vehicle’s fuel consumption. The greater the drag, the harder the vehicle engine has to work and, as a result, more fuel is consumed. Aerodynamic drag is affected by a number of factors, including vehicle shape, size of the vehicle’s frontal area and travelling speed. Well maintained aerodynamic styling and correctly adjusted aerodynamic equipment can help to reduce drag. Many trucks are supplied with aerodynamic styling by the manufacturer. Aerodynamic equipment can also be retrofitted to vehicles to improve fuel efficiency. Figure 1 below shows some of the styling which can be applied to an articulated vehicle to improve aerodynamic performance.
Additional non-fuel related
benefits of aerodynamic styling:
- Improved stability by reducing sensitivity
- to side winds
- Reduced build-up of road film and dirt
- Reduced spray
- Improved vehicle appearance Key to Figure 1 1 Cab roof deflector 2 Air dam 3 Cab extension 4 Side skirts 5 Rear quarter panel 6 Roof tapering 7 Trailer front faring TNT Express and Somerfield have both recognised the financial benefits of improving the aerodynamic performance of truck fleets. Read on to discover how they have improved vehicle performance and saved money. Figure 1: Examples of truck aerodynamic styling
Although the potential benefits from aerodynamic styling are likely to be greatest for larger vehicles travelling longer distances at fairly constant speeds, TNT also specifies aerodynamics on its urban 7.5-tonne vehicles. The aim is to achieve optimum fuel performance on stem journeys, from the depot to the first point of delivery and on return to base. In order to avoid potentially costly vehicle damage in the urban delivery environment, the company does not fit side skirts or rear quarter panels. In the TNT trial it was found that 85% of the fuel savings recorded during the trial could be attributed to the cab roof deflector. This means that even for operators who do not run their own trailers, having aerodynamic styling on the tractor unit can achieve considerable fuel savings. Case Study 2 - Somerfield Somerfield, the high street food retailer, has over 1,000 stores in the UK. Its fleet consists of 698 tractor units and 1,450 single deck semi-trailers, of which 60% are ambient and 40% are temperature-controlled, plus 28 double-deck ambient and temperature-controlled semi-trailers. Every tractor unit within the fleet is specified with full cab aerodynamic kit, including cab roof deflector and cab extension panels (sometimes known as side ears or collars). Somerfield has been using tractor roof deflectors for over a decade and specifies them as standard on all new tractor units and rigid vehicles. Somerfield considers the roof deflectors as having the greatest fuel saving impact of all the aerodynamic kit fitted. Introduction of double-deck trailers In 2003, Somerfield introduced double-deck semi- trailers for trunk haul distribution from the National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Wellingborough to 14 Regional Distribution Centres (RDCs) throughout the UK. Fifteen cages can be stacked on the trailer floor, with 30 cages on the movable floor above. The financial benefits of using the new step frame double-deck semi-trailers were clear, however, fuel efficiency declined due to the increase in cab/semi-trailer height differential. ”The tractor units pulling the standard trailers had been achieving 3.4 km per litre on average, whereas when the double-deck trailers were introduced, this went down to an average of 2.8 km per litre on all the UK trunk trips.” David Batty, National Fleet Engineer, Somerfield
”The fleet does 56 million miles per annum, equating to £19.25 million spent on fuel. Every 1% saved on fuel is equal to £200,000. ” David Batty, National Fleet Engineer, Somerfield Trialling the new FSC trailer design The newly designed Fuel Saving Curve (FSC) double-deck semi-trailer (illustrated below and on page 4) was tested against the standard double- deck semi-trailer at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) test track in Nuneaton (Warwickshire). This initial prototype testing gave Somerfield confidence to order a first run of FSC semi-trailers. An in-fleet, in-use trial was then conducted over three days. A comparison was made between the fuel consumption of vehicles pulling standard and FSC trailers over a 590 km round trip, from Wellingborough NDC (Northants) to Bridgwater RDC (Somerset). The chart below illustrates the improved mpg performance recorded for the FSC vehicles. Chart 1: Results of infleet trial Wellingborough to Bridgwater mpg comparison The FSC trailer gave an average of 3.07 km per litre compared to 2.85 km per litre using the standard trailer over the three trial days. Potential savings Using average consumption of 3.07 km per litre , the Somerfield FSC trunking trailer averages 226,520 km per year using 73,785 litres of fuel at a cost of £59,028 (80p per litre). The fuel saved by using the FSC design is 5,696 litres , giving an annual saving of £4,557. This gives a fuel saving of over 7% by using the aerodynamically styled double-deck trailer. The reduction in emissions is 15,265 kg per year of CO 2 per vehicle.
Aerodynamic payback example:
- This is a worked example based on a cost of fitting aerodynamic equipment of £1,400 for the tractor unit and £1, for the semi-trailer, and assumes two semi-trailers per tractor unit, totalling £4,200. The equipment fitted includes a cab roof deflector, cab extension panels and mudguard panels, an air dam, a three- dimensional cab roof fairing on the tractor unit, side skirts, a curved edge on the roof, and a rear quarter panel on the trailer
- If these vehicles were used on long distance trunking-style work, travelling 100,000 km per year, they might achieve a 13% fuel saving. Based on 2.8 km per litre, this fuel saving equates to 4,643 litres per year or £3,714 (80p per litre). The environmental benefit is 12,443 kg per year of CO2 saved per vehicle Annual saving £3, Cost of modification £4, Payback period 13.5 months See Freight Best Practice guides ‘Truck Aerodynamic Styling’ and ‘The Streamlined Guide to Truck Aerodynamic Styling’ for more information on aerodynamics. See ‘In-fleet Trials of Fuel Saving Interventions for Trucks’ for more information on running your own in fleet-trials. These can be ordered free of charge by calling the Hotline on 0845 877 0 877 , or alternatively download from the website www. freightbestpractice.org.uk
Freight Best Practice publications, including those listed below, can be obtained
FREE of charge by calling the Hotline on 0300 123 1250 or by downloading them from the website www.businesslink.gov.uk/freightbestpractice
Saving FUEL
Fuel Management Guide
This is the definitive guide to improving the fuel performance of your fleet. It gives step-by- step explanations of the key elements of fuel management, how to measure performance and how to implement an effective improvement programme.
In-Fleet Trials of Fuel Saving
Interventions for Trucks
This guide shows how to establish the potential performance of fuel saving devices in your fleet.
Performance MANAGEMENT
SAFED for HGVs: A Guide to Safe and
Fuel Efficient Driving for HGVs
This guide outlines the elements of the Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) scheme and explains the content of the one-day SAFED training course.
Developing - SKILLS
TOP provides practical ‘every day’ support material to help operators implement best practice in the workplace and acts in direct support of tasks essential to running a successful fuel management programme.
Transport Operators Pack - TOP
Aerodynamics for Efficient Road
Freight Operations
This guide offers practical information on aerodynamically effective styling for trucks including appropriate add-on features.
Equipment & SYSTEMS
IT Systems at Marshalls Pave the Way
for Operational Efficiency
This case study shows how the modernisation of vehicles and equipment and the implementation of a fuel management system has improved operational efficiency
Case STUDIES
February 2010. Printed in the UK on paper containing 100% recycled fibre. FBP1004© Queens Printer and Controller of HMSO 2010.