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The strict regulation of environmental laws, the oil price and restricted resources has made the vehicle manufacturers to use other energy resources instead of fuel oil. Iran is recognized as the second holder of gas reservoirs in the world and can use hydrocarbon gases broadly in particular compressed natural gas (CNG) as the fuel for vehicles specifically in its public transportation fleet and thereby reduce the consumption of diesel fuel and gasoline. This will bring about the reduction of environmental pollutants and reduce the economic costs of transportation sector. With regard to the climatic situation of Iran and concerning the existence of broad network of gas distribution, CNG is a suitable alternative for other fuels. Therefore, developing bi-fuel engine (gasoline and CNG) in the short and middle term strategy for achieving this important subject will be necessary.

Low frequency longitudinal vibrations resulting from driver throttle inputs are a common problem in modern passenger cars. This phenomenon, which is commonly referred to as shuffle or shunt, is due to sudden changes in the engine torque exciting torsional oscillations in the driveline. This paper presents a dynamic model of a vehicle driveline for the optimization of low frequency torsional vibration. The model used is first validated against experimental tests. Parameter sensitivity studies have been carried out using the model to identify the important components affecting shuffle. Three key parameters have been chosen from the parameter study. To optimize these key factors, Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have been used in this multi-parameter optimization problem. The results obtained from GAs have been compared with the calculus based optimization techniques.

The teaching of engine mapping and calibration provides a unique challenge to Universities and Technical institutes the world over. The engine test cell facilities required for such tuition is prohibitively expensive for many organizations, for those fortunate enough to have the facilities their use is often already oversubscribed. In any case it is not desirable to have untrained operatives experimenting with expensive and potentially dangerous equipment without very close time intensive supervision. In the School of Engineering Design and Technology at the University of Bradford, although fortunate enough to have a number of state-of-the-art transient engine test cells, these safety concerns are contrasted against students' frustrations at a lack of practical experience in this area for the above reasons.