SAE Online Poll: Lightweight materials to most benefit heavy vehicles for upcoming regs
Lightweight materials will make the greatest impact in helping medium- and heavy-duty trucks achieve upcoming greenhouse gas/fuel efficiency regulations, according to respondents to an online poll posted on SAE Off-Highway Engineering Online and Automotive Engineering International Online for two weeks in late November and early December. Lightweight materials were chosen by about 42% of the 64 respondents, hailing from 15 nations.
Automatic engine shutdown (idle reduction) came in second with nearly 22% of the vote, followed by design optimization (17%), aerodynamics (11%), and intelligent electronics (e.g., predictive cruise control) at almost 8%. Low rolling resistance tires did not receive a vote.
Half (32) of the respondents were from the U.S., who likewise selected lightweight materials as the most beneficial technology area at 37.5%. Design optimization and automatic engine shutdown swapped places compared to the overall vote, with 22% and 19%, respectively. Aerodynamics received nearly 16% of the U.S. vote, and intelligent electronics received just over 6%.
India had the second most respondents with 8, and Canada was third with 5. Countries posting a single vote included Pakistan (for design optimization), Singapore (lightweight materials), Malaysia (intelligent electronics), and Sri Lanka (automatic engine shutdown).
Check out our magazine websites often to respond to new poll questions posted by the editors, and feel free to suggest possible poll topics at sohe@sae.org or aei@sae.org.
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Voting results for the poll question: “Which technology area will make the greatest impact in achieving upcoming greenhouse gas/fuel efficiency regulations for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles?”
SAE International seeks input on CO2 as a referigerant
In response to a recent press statement from Germany that CO2 is the "right" automotive air-conditioning refrigerant, SAE International President Frank O. Klegon invites all automobile manufacturers to join in an industry collaborative effort to fully evaluate CO2 in such use. He said SAE International has unquestioned expertise in the research, analysis, and application of a variety of automotive refrigerants. In the past decade, more than 10 major SAE Cooperative Research Program (CRP) projects have provided forums for subject matter experts from around the industry to meet, discuss, and agree on advantages and disadvantages of various alternative refrigerants, as well as the management of accompanying risks. "The implementation of CO2 as an automotive refrigerant is not without technical challenges," said Klegon. The U.S. EPA has published its concerns regarding the use of CO2 as a mobile air conditioning refrigerant for passenger cars. The full EPA report can be accessed here. OEMs wishing to join a new SAE CRP to further investigate CO2 should contact Gary Pollak at 1-724-772-7196 or gary@sae.org.
SAE introduces certification for engineers involved in vehicle electrification
SAE International announced Nov. 14 that it will implement a personnel certification program that enables engineers, product development technicians, and associated personnel to earn a certificate of competency or certification in the area of vehicle electrification (VE). Through a process that engaged a group of auto industry subject-matter experts, a VE body of knowledge was developed and segmented into three distinct levels to meet the needs of specific personnel. Exam questions were generated to align with the body of knowledge to address each of the three levels. The VE Fundamentals and Safety Certificate of Competency is designed for individuals who require training and validation of knowledge in general electrified vehicle architectures, basic electricity and electronics, and critical safety precautions and procedures. Job roles include manufacturing personnel, procurement, sales, management, and engineering undergraduate students. This credential requires completing an online training course and passing an online exam. The VE Professional Certification level, due to launch in February 2013, is designed for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in general VE safety and all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers, technicians, and other technical personnel assigned to electrified vehicle platforms but not involved with direct design of VE systems. Passing an online exam results in certification that remains in force for three years. The VE Engineer/Scientist Certification level will launch in March 2013 and is for individuals to validate mastery of knowledge in the science and design of all major VE systems. Job roles include engineers and R&D scientists engaged in focused research or product design of VE systems such as battery packs, motors, power electronics, and systems integration. Passing an online exam also results in certification that remains in force for three years.
SAE updates trailer towing standard
SAE International has updated its trailer towing standard, J2807 - "Performance Requirements for Determining Tow-Vehicle Gross Combination Weight Rating and Trailer Weight Rating." The guidelines require vehicles to be tested under consistent conditions and parameters, giving consumers accurate information when comparing the trailer-towing capacities of similar models. Updates include revision of standard trailer weight range descriptions and clarification of test setup, ballast procedures, and test requirements in several areas. The standard can be applied to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 13,000 lb. "We have a great committee with representatives from all over the auto and trailer industries who have put a lot of time and effort into developing standards for trailer weight ratings," said Robert J. Krouse, General Motors North America Trailering Engineer, BFO – Trailering, and SAE Tow Vehicle Trailer Rating Committee Chairman. "I think trailering customers will really benefit from this effort." The standard is available here.
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EU adopts two regulations on truck safety
The European Union in April adopted two regulations designed to enhance the safety of trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3500 kg and buses with more than eight passenger seats, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. One specifies the technical requirements and test procedures for advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS) that detect the possibility of a collision with a preceding vehicle; warn the driver by a combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals; and if the driver takes no action, automatically apply the vehicle’s brakes. The regulation also specifies two levels of performance to be achieved by AEBS. Fitment of AEBS meeting the "level 1" performance requirements becomes mandatory from Nov. 1, 2013 for new types of vehicles and from Nov. 1, 2015 for all new vehicles. The compliance dates for "level 2" are Nov. 1, 2016 for new types of vehicles and Nov. 1, 2018 for all new vehicles. The other regulation specifies the technical requirements and test procedures for lane departure warning systems (LDWS) that detect unintentional drift of the vehicle out of its travel lane and warn the driver by a combination of optical, acoustic, or haptic signals. Fitment LDWS becomes mandatory from Nov. 15, 2013 for new types of vehicles and from Nov. 1, 2015 for all new vehicles. Both regulations contain a list of specific vehicle types, such as urban buses and off-road vehicles, that are exempt. "New types of vehicles" are models being launched for the first time, and "new vehicles" are new vehicles being registered for the first time.
NHTSA proposes ESC for trucks and buses
NHTSA (U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) on May 16 proposed a rule to require that new large commercial truck tractors and buses be equipped with an electronic stability control (ESC) system. If and when the proposed rule is adopted, the mandate would take effect two years later for all new typical 6 x 4 truck tractors and four years for severe-service tractors and tractors with four or more axles. In justifying the lead times, NHTSA noted that there are only two suppliers of ESC systems for truck tractors and large buses: Bendix and WABCO. It said the current rate of ESC installation on new truck tractors is 18%.
Europe toughens truck cab safety test
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) on Jan. 4 published the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No. 29 on commercial vehicle cab safety which introduces some significant amendments to the pendulum impact test procedures, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. The changes increase the impact energy level for the existing front pendulum impact test from 44 kJ to 55 kJ, specify an additional front pendulum impact test designed to test the cab’s A-pillars, and require that the cab roof be subjected to a lateral pendulum impact prior to the roof crush test being conducted. Compliance with these new requirements becomes mandatory for new types of truck from Jan. 30, 2017.
EU proposes lower vehicle noise limits
The European Commission have recently published a new draft regulation on motor vehicle sound levels, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. In addition to limiting noise levels, the proposal would establish a new procedure for measuring noise emissions and new requirements on the minimum sound generated by electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The reduced noise limits would be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, applicable two years after the publication of the regulation, the noise limits applicable to heavy trucks would be reduced by 1 dB (A) to between 77 and 82 dB (A), dependent on engine power and drive configuration. The noise limits applicable to other types of vehicles would be reduced by 2 dB (A) to between 70 and 79 dB (A), dependent on vehicle type, GVWR, engine power, and drive configuration. In the second phase, applicable five years after the publication, the noise limits would be reduced by a further 2 dB (A) for all vehicle types.
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