The energy crisis caused the French heavy duty vehicle
manufacturers and various research organizations to develop study
programs to reduce aerodynamic drag in trucks. Based on past
passenger car experience, SERA, in cooperation with a body
manufacturer, Ateliers Ste. Catherine, and the Institute for
Transport Research, initiated a two-fold program:
~ Establishment of definitions for configuration additions to
reduce drag for heavy duty vehicles.
~ Study of new low drag configurations for combination
vehicles.
Preliminary wind tunnel and road tests with integral deflectors,
a separator screen on semi-trailers, and streamlined edges on the
front and rear of vans indicated gains in the average speed of the
vehicles along with improved fuel economy.
Gains of 50% in the reduction of aerodynamic drag are possible
based on studies thus far.