SAE-A Truck Fuel Conservation Project

This paper presents a summary of the research and test program performed by the Society of Automotive Engineers - Australasia (SAE-A) to develop and demonstrate truck fuel consumption test procedures, to evaluate commercially available devices claimed to save fuel, and to develop and demonstrate a non-proprietary computer simulation model for truck performance and fuel consumption. This project has been supported financially by the National Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Program of the Australian Department of Resources and Energy, and by contributions of time, talent and materials by a wide variety of vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, trucking companies, and academic institutions.

The paper presents salient features of the test procedures, results of tests conducted, and model simulations. It also describes the plans to use the simulation model to aid customers at point of sale to select appropriate trucks.