Aerodynamics of platoons with multiple vehicle types: an optimisation for future transportation systems
Research Project, 2018
– 2021
To meet future demands on energy efficient transports there is a need to reduce the fuel consumption and emission of road-going vehicles. Platooning can significantly reduce the fuel consumption of a truck or a passenger car due to the lower aerodynamic drag. The effects of platooning are well known, but there is a need to increase the knowledge on the fluid mechanic phenomena involved in the drag reduction, and to optimise how the vehicle should be positioned relative to each other for minimum energy consumption. The purpose of the project is to develop a CFD method for highly accurate and efficient numerical simulations, that can be used for a parametric study within the project. The simulations will be validated by experimental results from a wind tunnel test of a platoon consisting of multiple vehicle types. The results from the project should be used as indata for configuration of future autonomous vehicles that will be driving in platoons for optimised fuel efficiency.
Participants
Simone Sebben (contact)
Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences (M2), Vehicle Engineering and Autonomous Systems
Collaborations
Scania CV AB
Södertälje, Sweden
Volvo Cars
Göteborg, Sweden
Volvo Group
Gothenburg, Sweden
Funding
Swedish Energy Agency
Project ID: 2017-007896
Funding Chalmers participation during 2018–2021
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Sustainable development
Driving Forces