Measurement and Reduction of Drag in Heavy-Duty Long Distance Haulage Trucks 785094

Methods are described for measuring, on full-scale vehicles, the value of systems tested in the wind tunnel /1/ for reducing drag with varying vehicle configurations /solo truck, trailer combination, and truck/.

The research forms part of a programme begun some years ago by Fiat Veicoli Industriali S.p.A., the purpose of which is to improve transport profitability, and the main objects of study were those phenomena affecting fuel consumption:

- the vehicle's aerodynamics;

- performance of auxiliary assemblies;

- performance of heat engines;

- performance of transmissions;

- tyres.

The present paper is concerned with the first of the above five aspects