Experimental study on transport modes of heavy trucks

Abstract

In the present work, a methodology has been developed that allows the study of some parameters of heavy truck traffic. The study uses typical road sections of the suburban road network in which they are determined by average speeds, average fuel consumption and their impact on environmental performance. Specifically, the study was performed on road infrastructure outside the settlements in Bulgaria. In the study, a road infrastructure is divided into three main groups – road infrastructure with roads of the first and second category, as well as highway ones. The research also takes into account the operation of the truck in overcoming both positive and negative slopes. An experimental study was performed for the three types of sections. For them, the speeds of movement in typical time zones, fuel consumption, the speed of the exhaust gases and environmental indicators were measured. The work also looks for the corresponding ratios of the measured parameters for the different routes. The study also measures the exhaust flow rates. Exhaust gas temperatures are also measured at certain points along the route. This is related to the engine operating modes and its direct impact on the environment. The speed of the gases is different in the different speed regimes of the vehicle. The percentage content of the various constituents and their temperatures in the exhaust gases and the knowledge of the velocity of the exit flow make it possible to determine the volumes or quantities of harmful emissions released into the atmosphere. The developed methodology and the performed research can be used for evaluation of the work of the trucks for a certain type of transport network. It allows to determine the efficiency of the vehicle when choosing different transport routes.