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This project's objective was the development of a test procedure to evaluate the impact of the refrigerated van box on the fuel consumption of the refrigeration unit. The scope of the project included a review of the test procedures, the development of a testing methodology for measuring the fuel consumption of the refrigeration unit on a specific duty cycle, and testing with a view to validating the methodology. Road and track tests are subject to variations in conditions, and controlling or accounting for these variables as much as possible is an important part of ensuring accurate results. However, when testing a refrigerated van on the track or on the road, it is very difficult to eliminate variable external influences and to isolate the particular influence of the refrigerated van on the refrigeration unit's fuel consumption. For this reason, tests were conducted in an environmental chamber in controlled temperature and humidity conditions.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the duration of idling on engine warm-up and engine cool-down, and to assess the effectiveness of an energy recovery system. The results confirmed that there is no need to idle an engine for extended periods after a cold start to warm it up. It is more efficient to idle the engine for a short period, and then drive the vehicle or operate the machinery at moderate loads until the engine warms up to normal operating temperatures. The tests also confirmed that the engine retains enough heat for easy starting even after being shut down for a few hours and there is no need to idle an engine for fear of having cold start problems. The tests with an energy recovery system, which circulates engine coolant to the heater after the engine is shut down, showed that the system can maintain cab temperatures at comfortable levels even after the engine has been shut down for a few hours.

This project's objective was the development of an on-road vehicle fuel consumption test procedure for representative stop-and-go urban duty cycles. The scope of the project included a review of existing stop-and-go urban duty cycles, the development of a track testing methodology for measuring the fuel consumption on stop-and-go urban duty cycles, and testing with a view to the validation of the methodology. Literature review analyzed several transport activities to determine specific stop-and-go urban duty cycles, such as pick-up and delivery operations, refuse collection, bus transport, and utility and service operation. It was found that driving cycles should be easy enough to recreate and replicate on the test track and should be representative of application driving patterns. The cycles should be adapted for fuel economy testing, and geometric cycles are easier to follow than the cycles based on actual drive traces.

The objectives of this project were to evaluate the reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions made possible by hybrid technology, and to identify good driving habits with this type of vehicle. Two diesel-electric hybrid pick-up and delivery trucks and one diesel-electric hybrid utility vehicle equipped with an electric driven PTO (power take-off) system were included in the project. The first phase was the evaluation in actual operating conditions. Onboard computers were installed in the vehicles to record parameters that make it possible to determine driving habits. Based on operational data, specific duty cycles were built and track tests were conducted to measure the fuel consumption on these duty cycles. It was therefore possible to compare the hybrid trucks with other diesel trucks featuring similar characteristics. The delivery hybrid trucks showed up to 34% fuel savings during the track tests.